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HENRY PRICE 


Founder of Duly Constituted Masonry in America. 
See Chapter V. 


THE BEGINNINGS 
OF FREEMASONRY 
IN AMERICA 


Containing a reference to all that 1s 
known of FREEMASONRY in the 
Western Hemisphere prior to 1750, 
and short sketches of the lives of 
some of the Provincial Grand Masters 


by 
MELVIN M. JOHNSON 


GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN MASSACHUSETTS, 
1914, 1915, 1916 
33°, ACTIVE 6.G.1.G., N.M.J., U.S.A. 


ILLUSTRATED 





Kingsport, Tennessee 


SOUTHERN PUBLISHERS, Inc. 
MASONIC PUBLICATIONS DIVISION 


COPYRIGHT, 1924, 
BY THE MASONIC SERVICE 
ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES 


THE BEGINNINGS OF FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 
ey Sys" one 
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 


PREFACE 


The substance of this work was prepared as an ad- 
dress by the then Grand Master to the Grand Lodge of 
Massachusetts on September 13, 1916. It was an at- 
tempt to collate and state all that is known of Free- 
masonry in the Western Hemisphere prior to A.D. 1750. 

After long study and investigation, the manuscript 
was first put in type in November, 1916. Bound proof- 
sheets were sent to every Grand Secretary in the English 
speaking world as well as to all those known to the 
writer to be Masonic students who might be interested— 
in all about two hundred. A request was made in each 
case for suggestions, criticisms or additions. Many help- 
ful suggestions were received, but during the four 
months which elapsed before the Proceedings of the 
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for the year 1916 were 
printed, not a single additional item or incident was 
called to the writer’s attention. A large part of the 
chronological record and the conclusions herein stated 
were printed as a part of the Proceedings of the Grand 
Lodge of Massachusetts for the year 1916, and the ad- 
dress was reprinted in book form by the National Ma- 
sonic Research Society. 

Since publication, Bro. F. de P. Rodriguez, Chair- 
man of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence of the 
Grand Lodge of Colon (Cuba) has kindly called atten- 
tion to the organization of a lodge in San Domingo in 
1748. This has been verified and inserted herein. 


More than seven years having passed without the dis- 
Vv 


V1 PREFACE 


covery by any one except myself of another omission or 
additional incident, the conclusion is justified that the 
record is as complete as it can be made in the light of 
the knowledge of the present day. This book is there- 
fore offered as a chronological compilation of all the 
real known facts concerning Freemasonry in America 
prior to the middle of the eighteenth century, with refer- 
ences so that the student may verify the original evi- 
dence, its sources, and reliability for himself. The 
writer has personally examined almost all of the original 
evidence to which reference is herein made. 

Some assertions concerning the early history of Free- 
masonry in the Western Hemisphere, utterly unwar- 
ranted and without a shred of justification, have been so 
publicly made heretofore and copied and recopied by 
serious Masonic scholars even as late as the current year, 
as to demand notice herein so that the future student 
shall not be misled as Gould, Hughan and others have 
been. Concerning some of them, I shall speak very 
plainly. Nothing can justify the deliberate concealment 
of a reliable document or the publication of that which 
is manifestly fraudulent for the purpose of bolstering up 
an argument in behalf of some pet theory which the 
Fraternity is asked to believe. 

For instance, if the “dilapidated document” of 1656 
or 1658, or the “John Moore letter” or the ‘Henry Bell 
letter” had ever existed and had within recent years 
come to the hands of those to whom they were valuable 
as proof of claims which were being made, such impor- 
tant documents could be produced or accounted for. No 
impartial eye has seen any one of them, although the 
opportunity to view them or to interview any one who 
has seen them has often and publicly been requested. 


a4 


PREFACE vil 


Again, as in 1916, I appeal to all, whether members 
of our Fraternity or not, for the preservation and proper 
publication of anything which may hereafter be brought 
to light which will add a real bit of evidence to what we 
know of these early Masonic days. Such things ought 
from time to time to be found among the files of his- 
torical societies and museums and sometimes in the store 
rooms of ancient families. When discovered, they ought 
at once to be submitted to competent students, photo- 
graphic copies should be taken for preservation apart . 
from the originals, and the widest publicity should be 
sought in order to bring them to the attention and scru- 
tiny of all interested. I am willing at any time to lend 
my assistance to this end. 

The conclusions of respected historians are freely 
quoted by those who have not the time, inclination or 
opportunity to make independent investigation. As a 
result, an opinion which would have been changed at 
once if the true facts had been known, nevertheless 
passes current and is accepted as a matter of course long 
after the premises upon which it is based prove to be 
wrong. Because of its importance an example of one 
conspicuous illustration is worth while. 

One Jacob Norton, an Orthodox Jew, once fathered 
a petition to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, which 
asked a revision of the ritual by the elimination of all 
reference to the Holy Saints John. The Grand Lodge 
denied his petition, whereupon he withdrew from his 
Massachusetts membership and subsequently made bitter 
attacks upon the history of that jurisdiction. 

1851 Mass. 7, 33-34. 
1899 Mass. 53. 
1906 Mass. 84. 


Vill PREFACE 


M. W. Joseph Rollins, a Masonic student and Chair- 
man of the Committee on Correspondence of the Grand 
Lodge of Illinois accepted Norton’s conclusions and re- 
argued the case for him. Then certain partisans for 
their own purposes restated Norton’s animadversions and 
gave them wide circulation. Following this, Bro. 
Hughan and some other historians, not knowing Nor- 
ton’s bias but assuming the correctness of his statements 
of fact and following his arguments, based some of their 
statements and conclusions upon his. 

IV Gould, 330. 

Certain old newspaper articles, official lists, and manu- 
scripts, unknown in the days of Rollins, Hughan and 
Gould, have since been discovered which utterly and be- 
yond all cavil or argument prove the falsity of Norton’s 
premises and, therefore, of his and their reasoning and 
conclusions. Several good Masonic histories were writ- 
ten before these discoveries and before Norton’s argu- 
ments were unanswerably shown to be wrong. ‘Thus his 
errors are still perpetuated. Unfortunately and usually 
innocently, writers occasionally still adopt and repeat 
Norton’s views, quoting as authorities not Norton but 
those who followed his lead. 

Masonic students and historians, therefore, should be 
careful not to adopt without personal investigation the 
conclusions arrived at by our best and most revered his- 
torians, except they are based upon a knowledge of the 
whole facts, including the recently discovered evidence, 
all of which relating to the early history of Freemasonry 
in America are referred to in the text or citations which 
follow. Authorities will herein be cited for the author’s 
statements and upon which he has based his conclusions. 

In many instances photographic copies of documents 


PREFACE ix 


not heretofore reproduced for general circulation and 
some never heretofore published, have been inserted not 
only as matters of interest but also to preserve the evi- 
dence and subject it to the test and verification of pub- 
licity. Those who now or hereafter attempt to write 
Masonic history, whether as to a single fact or a broad 
field, must be willing to subject themselves to the same 
tests applied to all other historians. 

The original address has been amplified that it may 
be suitable for the general Masonic reader whether he 
reads critically or casually. 

Metvin M. Jounson. 

Boston, Mass. 


P.S. After this book was in type, Wor. Brother 
William B. Clarke, Past Master of Solomon’s Lodge, 
No. 1, of Savannah, Georgia, very kindly sent me full 
details of his researches including the recent discovery of 
an old original record book of his Lodge. The publishers 
have been good enough to permit a consequent rewriting 
of the Georgia material at the last minute. 


M. M. J. 


leileg sie 


my af - en a ovale eNO 





ABBREVIATIONS 


A.B. Account Book (of the Lodge to which refer- 
ence is being made). 

Anderson. Anderson’s Constitutions. 

A.Q.C. Ars Quatuor Coronatorum. 

B.MS. Beteilhe Manuscript. 

Entick. Entick’s Constitutions (1756). 

F.J. Franklin’s Journal. 

Gould. Gould’s (larger) History of Freemasonry. 
Edition of John C. Yorston & Co., 1889. 


Note: There are four editions of Gould’s larger “History of 
Freemasonry.” The first two were published in London and 
Edinburgh in editions of three and six volumes between the years 
1882 and 1887. The first American edition appeared in Phila- 
delphia in 1889, complete in four volumes. This is the edition 
cited. The last edition was published in 1906 as the principal 
part of a five-volume set known as “A Library of Freemasonry.” 
References in the following pages to Volume IV of Gould will 
not be found in the three- or six-volume editions where the page 
numbers are given below 295; they will be found, however, in 
Volume IV of the “Library of Freemasonry.” 


L.B. pa brerie 

L.H.B. Lane’s Handy Book to the Lists of Lodges. 

L.M.R. Lane’s Masonic Records, 1717-1894, 2nd 
Ed. 

Mackey. Mackey’s Revised History of Freemasonry, 
by Robert I. Clegg. (Masonic History Com- 
pany, 1921.) 

1 Mass. Printed Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of 
Massachusetts, 1733-1792 (containing the 
Proceedings of the Provincial Grand Lodges 
at Boston). 


xii 


Mass. 
N.E.F. 
O.L. 
O.M.L.P. 
O.R. 


ba. 


Prichard. 
led ba 


Preston. 
Pro. G.M. 
P-t. 


O.C.A. 
S.& H. 


ABBREVIATIONS 
Printed Proceedings of Grand Lodge of 


Massachusetts for year given. 

The Freemason’s Monthly Magazine, by 
Charles W. Moore, commonly known as 
Moore’s Freemasons’ Magazine. 
Nickerson’s New England Freemason. 
Official Engraved Lists of the Lodges, pub- 
listed by authority of the Grand Lodge of 
England. 

Sachse’s Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Original Record (of the body to which ref- 
erence is being made). 

The Pocket Companion and History of Free- 
masonry by J. Scott, 1754. 

Prichard’s Tubal-Kain (Dublin, 17607). 
The Charles “Pelham List’? of the Brethren 
made and accepted in the First Lodge in 
Boston, and of those raised and accepted in 
the Masters Lodge, written in 1751. (Orig- 
inal in archives of Grand Lodge of Massa- 
chusetts. ) 

William Preston’s Illustrations of Masonry. 
Provincial Grand Master. 

A photo-stat made under the direction of 
the author is on file in archives of Grand 
Lodge of Massachusetts. 

Quatuor Coronatorum Antigrapha. 

Stillson & Hughan’s History of Freema- 
sonry. 

The abbreviation for a state or country pre- 
ceded by a year and followed by a page, 
refers to the printed proceedings of the 
Grand Lodge for that jurisdiction. 


CHAPTER 


I 
II 
III 


IV 


VI 
VII 


VIII 


Ix 


XI 
XII 
XIII 
XIV 
XV 
XVI 
XVII 
XVIII 
xrx 


CONTENTS 


BEGINNINGS ° ° . . . . 
AUTHORITIES . . . : . . 


EARLIEST TRACES IN THE WESTERN HEMI- 
SPHERE e ° . . ° . s 


THES POUNDING OF) DULY CONSTITUTED 
FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA . . ° 


HENRY PRICE . . : . ° . 
BOSTON——-PHILADELPHIA—GEORGIA . ° 


THE FIRST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF 
NORTH AMERICA 

FRANKLIN S APPOINTMENT AS PROVINCIAL 
GRAND MASTER FOR THE PROVINCE OF 
PENNSYLVANIA : , : : 


ILS OI ee te 

1 OT Geert: a2 ce Mal 6S tye hls 
SO i) Oe AC ee 
Ly, Ste8 1a coe te ee, Be ee eo ee Se 
PAO) Re De Oe) te Cle, ein Lh ge RE 
Ta ee os Screed see 
TH cel et) Ean a a a ee 
EIN | ean, PNT ed, | ee a |. hs 
1 FEAST aS) Paoli eM RN eared PI 
Waa Saye SO ee Gee ae A 


EPA pit COAL WO Gr LE i Cited Ais Malar ae 


Xili 


PAGE 


19 
28 


43 


74 
92 
104 


115 


124 
133 
152 
168 
203 
219 
235 
247 
264 
Lb 2 
284 
297 


XIV 
CHAPTER 
xX 
D:O.8 
XXII 
XXIII 
XXIV 


XXV 


CONTENTS 


1746 

1747 

1748 

1749 

ARCANA OF THE PERIOD 
CONCLUSION 


INDEX . 


PAGE 


303 
316 
g20, 
one 
373 
379 
387 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


HENRY PRICE, FOUNDER OF DULY CONSTI= 


TUTED MASONRY IN AMERICA .  . _ Frontispiece 
PAGE 
PAGES 13 anp 14 oF BETEILHE MANUSCRIPT . 39-40 
THE MASONIC(?) sroNEOF 1606. . . . 44 
PAGE OF “LIBR B’” . : : hh al ate! 
FACSIMILE OF ENTRY IN FRANKLIN’S JOURNAL . 65 
WILLIAM ALLEN. oe 
FACSIMILE OF PETITION FOR FIRST LODGE IN BOS- 
TON. ’ Lei 39. 
FACSIMILE OF PAGE 6 OF ENGLISH OFFICIAL EN- 
GRAVED 1761 List. , : . 84 
FACSIMILE OF PAGES 4, 5 AND 6 OF BETEILHE 
MANUSCRIPT . 85-87 
ORIGINAL STONE OVER GRAVE OF HENRY PRICE . 94 
FACSIMILE OF RECORD OF 1733 BY-LAWS OF FIRST 
LODGE IN BOSTON : chy gE OR 
ITEM FROM Boston Gazette ror aprit 1, 1735 . III 
FACSIMILE OF TWO PAGES OF FRANKLIN’S JOUR- 
NAL: 9 i ; : . 120-121 
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. ; fol GS, 


FACSIMILE OF TWO COLUMNS OF American 
Weekly Mercury ror “Marcu 20-27, 1735” . 130 
JAMES HAMILTON . ey an teks: 


FACSIMILE OF 1757 ROSTER OF SOLOMON’S LODGE, 


SAVANNAH, GEORGIA . ; . 142 
XV 


xvi ILLUSTRATIONS 


FACSIMILE OF PETITION FOR FIRST LODGE IN NEW 
HAMPSHIRE . . ° ° : . 


FACSIMILE OF LIST ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF 
FIRST LODGE IN BOSTON, RECOMMENDING MR. 
BENJ. BARONS, JUNE 23, 1736 . ; : 3 


THOMAS HOPKINSON : : : ; : 
WILLIAM PLUMSTEAD  . - ; : : 
JOSEPH SHIPPEN . ; : : 


FACSIMILE OF PAGE OF RECORDS OF FIRST LODGE IN 
BOSTON FOR DECEMBER, 1738, AND JANUARY, 


1738/9 
PETER G PELHAM pcs. imes) aie hae 


FACSIMILE OF PAGE OF RECORDS OF THE LODGE AT 
PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1739/40 


FACSIMILE OF RECORD OF FIRST LODGE IN BOSTON 


FOR APRIL 23, 1740 . 
SILHOUETTE OF BRO. PHILIP SYNG . : 
BENJAMIN SMITH . ; ; : 


OXNARD S DEPUTATION AS PROVINCIAL GRAND 
MASTER FOR NORTH AMERICA; SEPTEMBER 23, 


14S a7. Me a a an a 
CHARLES PET H AMg es ag ae ee 


FACSIMILE OF LETTER RECALLING PRICE TO THE 
CHAIR IN 1767 


PAGE OF RECORD BOOK OF TUN TAVERN LODGE 


FACSIMILE OF THE ““HUMBLE REMONSTRANCE” OF 
ocToBER 7, 1751 ; f 


FACSIMILE OF PART OF RECORD OF MEETING OF 
GRAND LODGE IN BOSTON, APRIL 13, 1750 : 


PAGE 


149 


158 
160 
180 
206 


212 


230 


232 


240 
RBS 
270 


276 


292 


344 
he) 


368 


370 


THE BEGINNINGS OF FREEMASONRY 
IN AMERICA 
















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THE BEGINNINGS OF 
FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


CHAPTER [| 
BEGINNINGS 


The male secret society is the oldest human institu- 
tion, older than any other form of religion, older than 
any other form of education, older indeed than any other 
form of civil government. And all down through the 
centuries, the secret society has maintained a powerful 
hold upon the hearts and minds of men. 

Whatever its origin, however its life may be meas- 
ured, Freemasonry is admittedly the oldest secret society 
of the civilized world, as well as the largest. Yet, 
strangely enough, its history is shrouded in mystery. 
The true facts of its ancient days are a secret, more un- 
known, more mysterious than its arcana. 

Its earliest manuscripts, the “Old Charges” or “Old 
Constitutions,” are Homeric. The scriveners recorded 
the traditions handed down to them verbally through the 
centuries and doubtless believed they were really writing 
history. What they gave us, we now know to be a curi- 
ous blending of fable and some demonstrable facts. But 
the facts have so utterly lost their true surroundings as 
to be as misleading historically as those things which 
are obviously fable. Euclid, who lived in Alexandria 
about three hundred years before Christ is, for instance, 


made a contemporary and pupil of Abraham. 
19 


20 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Too many so-called Masonic historians since the days 
when they should have known better have added fiction 
to fable and imagination to both, using the manifest 
errors of their predecessors as gospel, dreams as evidence, 
and guesses as proof. Moreover, we must confess that 
there are many speakers and writers on Masonic sub- 
jects to-day who do not seem to realize that such meth- 
ods do our cause more harm than good. Let one instance 
suffice to illustrate. A very celebrated and respected 
brother, whose name is a household word in this country, 
and who is known the world around, once made the 
statement in a public address that all but two of the 
signers of the Declaration of Independence were members 
of the Craft. That declaration from his lips was at once 
accepted at par and has been repeated thousands of 
times in addresses throughout the land. For some years 
the writer tried to verify that statement without success. 
Among other things, he applied to that brother who had 
turned the statement loose for his authority. The reply 
came quickly to the effect that undoubtedly he had in 
mind authority for what he said at the time he said it, 
but that he could not remember what it was. Now the 
fact may be exactly as stated, bu: many diligent seekers 
who would like to prove it have utterly failed in their 
efforts so to do. So many of the Lodges of those days 
failed to keep or preserve records and so many carefully 
recorded minutes have been burned or otherwise lost or 
destroyed that we shall never be able to prove the truth 
or the falsity of the claim. 

Gould was the Thucydides of Masonic history. He 
first introduced the critical method. He attempted to 

disentangle the fable from the fact. He fell into many 
errors. His conclusions are, many of them, wrong. His 


BEGINNINGS 21 


work cannot be called authoritative for even he accepted 
at par many assertions of others which we now know to 
be in error. And, too, later study has disclosed demon- 
strable facts unknown to him. But he did point the way 
to the proper method of studying and of writing Ma- 
sonic history. Others had written the true facts of their 
day and generation as well as those learned from the 
lips of their contemporaries. Gould first, however, 
taught us that the Masonic historian should be subject 
to the same tests of accuracy as all other historians. 
Not that we must have a photograph of each event or 
the written word of an eye-witness. Legitimate in- 
ference and reasonable conclusion have their place here 
as well as in all other phases of human affairs. Tradition 
even has its just place. But dreamland and the “wish 
that is father to the thought” must not be permitted 
longer to influence the writing of what purports to be 
real history. This does not mean that it should be neces- 
sary to present written documents in proof of what we 
shall conclude to be Masonic fact. Since the days when 
the printing press has come into general use, less weight 
is given to tradition and other evidences of fact. Prior 
to the days of the printing press but since the evolution 
of modern writing the same tests which are applied to 
conclusions of the ordinary historian are to be applied to 
the conclusions of the Masonic historian, with this ex- 
ception—that Masonry being a secret society, much less 
of its affairs would be committed to writing than other- 
wise. Back of the days of the development of the writ- 
ing of documents, the Masonic historian must depend 
upon such evidence as is relied upon by any scientific 
anthropologist. 

How old is Freemasonry? From when does it date its 


22 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


origin? ‘These and similar questions will never be an- 
swered by a date. Before an attempt can be made to 
find a point at which to start the discussion, a question 
of definition arises,;—When you ask the question, what 
do you mean by the word “Freemasonry”? If you mean 
the structural form of the present Grand Lodge system, 
with particular lodges together with the appendant de- 
grees of the so-called “York” and “Scottish” Rites, then 
the answer may be made that the stage of stability of 
this present structure did not come until at least the 
latter half of the nineteenth century. Indeed, now in 
the twentieth century that structure is not yet fixed and 
independent. In important respects such as the “Mark 
Degree,” the English system now differs radically from 
the American. Definite recognition of the ‘Scottish 
Rite’ did not become fixed in America until the last 
quarter of the nineteenth century, and Ireland to-day has 
not yet reached this stage. 

Nomenclature is not now and probably never will be 
made historically correct. The “Scottish Rite’? does not 
descend from Scotland and the “York Rite” was not 
founded at York. The ‘‘Moderns” were older than the 
“Ancients.” These are but examples. 

If by “Freemasonry” is meant the Symbolic system 
of “blue” degrees as now organized and practised, then 
the date of crystallization has not yet come. Between 
1717 and 1725 (cérca) there was a radical recast of 
ritual. At the end of some nine years of considerable 
Masonic disturbance and debate, beginning in 1730 with 
the publications of Prichard’s ‘‘Masonry Dissected,” 
other radical changes were made by the English Grand 
Lodge. These were not followed in Scotland or Ireland 
and, in part, led to the organization of the “Grand 


BEGINNINGS 23 


Lodge of the Antients” in 1751. Both the Ancients and 
the Moderns planted Lodges in America and elsewhere 
during the long years thereafter until the English recon- 
ciliation of 1813. Thus at least these two systems (for 
they radically differed from each other) were slipped 
and planted where they took firm root and were in turn 
slipped and transplanted with the result that even to-day 
there is much divergence of ritual. And this is true even 
as to essentials, as to many things which have by stu- 
dents and Grand Lodges been called “Landmarks.” 

If ‘Freemasonry’ means only what has descended 
from the Grand Lodge of England, then it dates from 
the organization of that Grand Lodge in 1717. But 
that Grand Lodge was organized by lodges theretofore 
existing and there is abundant evidence of speculative 
Freemasonry through earlier centuries. 

The caterpillar builds its cocoon and changes its shape 
into a chrysalis, but the life of the chrysalis is the per- 
petuation of the life of the caterpillar. Even the ma- 
terial elements of its body are those of the caterpillar’s 
body transformed. And so, also, we follow that same 
life essence and those identical material atoms into the 
emerging moth, but how different in outward appear- 
ance! Just such, the writer believes has been the life- 
history through countless centuries of what we now call 
Freemasonry. 

Defined as an organization of men, teaching monothe- 
ism, morality and immortality, in secret, by symbolism, 
and inculcating the worship of Deity and friendship for 
one another, it can have no fixed date of origin. In dif- 
ferent forms through the long years of human life upon 
the earth, its true essence and life may be believed to 
have been transmitted through the “‘Men’s House” of 


24 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


pre-historic barbarism, the ancient mysteries, the Roman 
colleges, the cathedral builders, and many other connect- 
ing links transmuted and transformed, known by many 
names, into the Freemasonry which is the highest type of 
such an organization in this modern world. Recent 
studies furnish confirmatory evidence of this theory of 
the descent of Freemasonry which I have been insisting 
upon in Masonic addresses since 1913. 


BEGINNINGS IN AMERICA 


It has been argued that Freemasonry began with the 
Mayas and Quiches in the Western Hemisphere much 
more than one hundred centuries ago; and that the mys- 
teries migrated to the old world over a land bridge that 
was broken when Atlantis was destroyed. 

Sacred Mysteries among the Mayas and the 
Quiches, 11500 years ago, etc., by LePlon- 
geon. 

This theory is purely fanciful and pabulum only for 
the dreamer. 

X The Builder (Jan. 1924) 7 

When the Western Hemisphere began to be colonized 
from Europe, our present system of Grand and particular 
lodges had not come into being. Masonry was then 
nomadic and lodges were ‘‘occasional.” It was more 
operative than speculative. But we still have the Old 
Charges of a Freemason reduced to manuscript be- 
fore Colon, the Jew (now generally called Columbus) 
set his foot upon an island in the West Indies. When 
first thereafter some of those Freemasons under the Old 
Constitutions, or Old Charges, came with other colonists 
to these shores, the fog of time effectually conceals from 


BEGINNINGS 25 


our historic vision. It is unlikely that the early planting 
of European civilization in Central America and else- 
where in the Western world brought Freemasonry with 
it, although the operative Masons certainly came. And 
there are certain indications in their work to be found in 
Panama and northwestern South America which indicate 
that they were speculative as well as operative Masons. 
Nearly all of their work is marvellously like that of those 
operative Masons of the Middle Ages’from whom we 
descend. There is less likelihood that either the Pil- 
grims or the Puritans were of our Craft. As a reasonable 
inference or at least speculation from known facts, it may 
be said (though not asserted as definite) that Free- 
masonry first came to the Western Hemisphere through 
mariners, merchants and officers, civil and military. 
This was unmistakably the case in the early eighteenth 
century. 

“Duly constituted” Lodges of Freemasons, as we use 
the words, never existed prior to June 24, 1717. The 
unnumbered and mostly unknown Lodges theretofore 
were but voluntary and indefinite assemblages of those 
Freemasons who casually or for business reasons found 
themselves in a given neighbourhood. ‘To this rule there 
were exceptions becoming more numerous toward the 
close of the seventeenth century, but it may be said as 
a generality that there was no such thing as Lodge ‘“‘mem- 
bership.”’ All were Freemasons “at large.” With cer- 
tain definite exceptions, no Lodge was a continuing body 
or had officers with terms which overran each closing or 
kept records. They were usually occasional bodies hav- 
ing no persevering entity. They were, however, “‘regu- 
lar.” 

The reincarnation or transmutation commonly known 


26 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


as the “Revival of 1717” changed all this. It provided 
not only Grand Lodge organization and administrative 
machinery but included definite provisions for Lodge con- 
tinuity. It established for all future time the funda- 
mental test of regularity and due constitution as exist- 
ence under explicit authority lawfully granted by a 
Grand Master. 

In a world which had not harnessed the energies of 
steam or electricity or gas for the transportation of per- 
sons or freight or intelligence, some years passed before 
these rules of regularity were thoroughly known, much 
less accepted, by all the Masons familiar with the old 
haphazard customs. But finally the whole Fraternity 
wheresoever dispersed recognized and conformed. ‘The 
Regulations governing regularity (formally adopted 
June 24, 1721) comparatively soon obtained full sway 
and have ever since been universally recognized by the 
Craft. No “duly constituted” Lodge of Symbolic Ma- 
sonry exists or has ever existed since then—except only 
the four which together organized the Grand Lodge of 
1717 and Mother Kilwinning and her children—without 
warrant and/or constitution by act of a Grand Master or 
of his Deputy. 

See 1700, énfra. 

The early Lodges and Provincial Grand Lodges were 
careless about the keeping of records. Even the Mother 
Grand Lodge itself has no formal record book for more 
than six years after its organization. And the premier 
Provincial Grand Lodge of the Western Hemisphere, 
organized in Boston, Massachusetts, July 30, 1733, has 
no formal and continuous records written in a book at the 
time of the recorded events, until 1750. 

This has led some argumentative Brethren to assert 


BEGINNINGS 27 


that there is naught but tradition of duly constituted 
Masonry in America prior to 1750. And it has led to 
this attempt to make a chronological compilation of 
all the real known facts of Masonry in America prior to 
the middle of the eighteenth century with references to 
the original evidence, nearly all of which has been per- 
sonally and critically examined. Now and then are also 
included, for convenience of the student, references to 
certain things which even some of our best historians and 
their readers have swallowed with much consequent 
ptomaine poisoning. 

No pretension is made that this is complete. It does 
contain, however, everything for which the investigations 
of the writer have disclosed credible and authentic evi- 
dence. It is hoped that others may be stimulated to 
publish all possible facts of the period for which they 
can and do cite authority worthy of and available for 
examination and test as to historical accuracy. 


CHAPTER II 
AUTHORITIES 


The principal sources of information are: 

1. The official engraved lists published by authority 
of the Grand Lodge of England. 

2. The various editions of the Constitutions. 

3. Original record and account books. 

4. Manuscripts of the period. 

5. Newspapers of the period. 

6. The various editions of The Free Mason’s Pocket 
Companion, containing a history of the Fraternity (and 
in some editions a list of the Lodges) written by J. Scott 
and first published in 1754. 

7. Preston’s “Illustrations of Masonry,” the first edi- 
tion of which was issued in 1772. 

8. Other manuscripts and publications by those who 
lived during the period in question, whether written then 
or shortly thereafter. 


1. OFFICIAL LISTS OF LODGES 


Valuable sources of information concerning the early 
Lodges are the official engraved lists which since 1723 
were published at least annually by authority of the 
Grand Lodge of England. Just before 1730 the Lodges 
were given numbers in these lists, usually in accordance 
with seniority. When a Provincial Lodge was not re- 


ported promptly, as often happened, it was given a posi- 
28 


AUTHORITIES 29 


tion later than that to which it was entitled but corre- 
sponding with the date of the receipt of its report; and 
then when a vacancy occurred by the erasure of a Lodge 
somewhere near the position in which it belonged, the 
transfer would be made (e.g., the First Lodge at Sa- 
vannah, Georgia. See 1735, after October 30, énfra). 
The early official lists were engraved with artistic repre- 
sentations of the signs of the taverns, etc., in which the 
Lodges met. 

With all of their errors—and they had many—these 
lists are invaluable to the Masonic student, and in many 
cases are the sole source of information. 

Printed lists were now and then issued, but they were 
not official and have less probative value. Brothers 
Hughan and Lane have made exhaustive studies of these 
lists, the ultimate being reached in Lane’s Masonic Rec- 
ords, 1717-1894 (2d Edition, 1895) to which frequent 
reference is hereafter made. 

Of the printed lists the Grand Lodges of Iowa and 
Massachusetts own a large number, some of which were 
apparently unknown to Lane. 


2. THE CONSTITUTIONS 


The first printed edition of the Constitutions and Regu- 
lations of the Grand Lodge of England was compiled 
by Anderson and published at London in 1723." An im- 


1 As to its authority and accuracy see “Introduction” by Lionel Vibert 
to his 1923 facsimile reprint published by Quaritch, London. Bro. 
Vibert’s “Introduction” is a volume in itself. He says, in part, “An- 
derson’s Constitutions of the Freemasons was originally a private 
venture which gained Grand Lodge sanction by a kind of accident, and 
it came into general use by a slow evolution. In its own time it almost 
escaped notice, at least by the general Masonic public. Yet, after a 
time it came to be to the Craft in general what the Old Charges were 
to lodges in the Operative period, and continues so to be in spite of 


30 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


proved edition was issued in 1738. Many editions have 
since appeared. The first American printing was by 
Benjamin Franklin, in Philadelphia, in 1734. All con- 
tain a history of the Craft. But little weight can be 
given to the history, as there recorded, prior to the eight- 
eenth century, it being largely an adaptation of the old 
manuscript Constitutions. A considerable number of 
these manuscripts still exist written during the years as 
far back as the fourteenth century, but they are a curious 
blending of fact and fiction such as usually results when 
facts are handed down through hundreds of years by 
tradition. 

Even the record of the events from and after 1717 
in the printed Constitutions must be scrutinized though 
they were recorded by participants in the events them- 
selves or by their associates who had first-hand sources 
of information. 


3. RECORDS AND ACCOUNT BOOKS 


Few of the Masonic bodies of the early eighteenth 
century began to keep records in a minute book contem- 


the fact that since R. F. Gould, Anderson’s work and Masonic record 
have been scrutinized with merciless severity, one of the results being 
that his attempt at writing a Masonic history has been discounted 
almost to the vanishing point. 

“Vet it would be difficult to estimate its influence on the history of 
the Craft. Notwithstanding the way in which Grand Lodge received 
the work after its publication, it took its place as the official manual, 
so that the fact that it was not official but essentially a private affair 
was entirely lost sight of. It was taken by the Grand Lodge of Ireland 
as the model for their Book of Constitutions in 1730. It was re- 
printed verbatim for use in America by Franklin in 1734. It was 
pirated in London and later in Dublin by Smith in 1735. And its 
author’s reputation was great enough to carry off the History he wrote 
for his second edition of 1738, and led the Craft for a century and a 
half to accept it and reprint it as a serious contribution to the sub- 
ject. To-day we value the Doctor’s labours less highly, but the Con- 
stitutions of 1723 is nevertheless one of the most important records of 
the Craft.” 


AUTHORITIES 31 


poraneously with the events recorded until several years 
after organization. 

a. The Grand Lodge at London, for instance, was 
organized in 1717, but its first contemporaneous record 
book begins June 24, 1723. 

b. The Brethren who met in Philadelphia had an 
account book now known as “Libre B” beginning with 
June 24, 1731, g.v., which came to light in 1884, and is 
now in the library of the Historical Society of Pennsyl- 
vania. This book is in several handwritings. Much of 
it has been ascribed to Franklin, but in my opinion little, 
if any, of it is in his handwriting. 

In many respects the book is a mystery. On the out- 
side it is inscribed (in very black ink): 


“Philadelphia City.” 
Under this, in brown ink and a different penmanship: 
“St. Johns Lodge Libr B.” 


It is plainly evident that the cover was first marked 
“Libr A.” The “A” was heavily printed. The left side 
and the cross-line of the “A” remain. The right side of 
the “‘A” has been erased and the bulging bells of a cap- 
ital ““B” (as in script) substituted. The marks of erasure 
were clearly visible when examined by the assistant li- 
brarian and the writer on April 12, 1923, yet the over- 
written ink seems ancient rather than modern. Brother 
Sachse neither explains nor mentions this alteration. 

The first twenty-three pages are an index to the Ma- 
sonic accounts which appear in the last third of the book. 
This index was written in some time after November 5, 


32 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1733, for it is evidently written by some one other than 
the person who made the entries dated on and before that 
day. 

Next are a number of pages which concern the print- 
ing in 1791, and later, of Prayer Books, Testaments, and 
Laws. These pages contain no Masonic references. 

From there, the book is blank about two-thirds of the 
way through. At this place the Masonic entries com- 
mence, the first being an account with 

“Messrs Shippen & Pratt, Wardens for the year 1736.” 

The next two pages have the account with “Pratt & 
Syng,’ Wardens for 1737. Following this, is the gen- 
eral account of Lodge expenses for 1736 and 1737; two 
blank pages; and then what is apparently a Lodge ac- 
count beginning June 24, 1731. (See facsimile, page 
64 énfra.) The purchase of the book itself is charged 
under date of August 2, 1731. 

It is evident, from the accounts with the members 
which follow, that on the date with which the accounts 
begin (June 24, 1731) there were fourteen members of 
the Lodge. The entrance or admission fees of all the 
others were charged at later dates. Entrance was then 
£3-0-0. Admission was £2-0-0. In June, 1734, the 
entrance fee was raised to £5-0-0. 

The latest entry in the Masonic part of the book is 
dated June 24, 1738. 

This curious book is not a fraud. It is evidently gen- 
uine. Why, when and by whom the change from “A” 
to “B” was made is, to me, a mystery. Signs of the 
erasure are still plainly visible and yet the ink is appar- 
ently as old as some of the internal entries. Neither can 
I offer any satisfactory explanation for the other pe- 
culiarities of the volume. 


AUTHORITIES 33 


The earliest published comment concerning this vol- 
ume, containing a hint of ‘‘Franklin’s Journal,” is to be 
found in the ‘Early History” published by the Grand 
Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1877 (page 4, following page 
CXIx). 

1 O.M.L.P., Chapter II. 
1899 Mass. 51. 

c. The First Lodge in Boston constituted July 30, 
1733, began its records at some unknown period. Its 
earliest record book now known begins with copies of 
Price’s Commission, of the By-Laws of the Lodge, and of 
Tomlinson’s Commission, followed by the record of De- 
cember 27, 1738, “being the VI meeting of the Quarter.” 
Ebenezer Swan was the Secretary. It closes with the 
record of July 24, 1754. 

Reversed, the volume contains the account book of 
the Lodge beginning December 27, 1738, the first entry 
being “To a Ball® brought from a former Book 34:8: 5.” 

Thomas Oxnard was then Treasurer. This account 
runs to February 26, 1755. 

1 N.E.F. 57 and 279. 
1900 Mass. 125. 

This volume is in the archives of the Grand Lodge of 
Massachusetts. 

d. The existing records of the Masters Lodge in 
Boston begin with its constitution, December 22, 1738, 
Francis Beteilhe, Secretary. This book closes with the 
meeting of November 6, 1761. Reversed, the volume 
discloses the account book down to December 21, 1753. 
A loose sheet is inserted with a rough account from De- 
cember 1, 1758, to December, 1760. This volume is in 
the archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 

e. The known records of Saint John’s Lodge of Ports- 


34 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


mouth, N. H., begin October 31, 1739, Jonathan Log- 
gin, Secretary. 

The volume beginning on this date is now in possession 
of the Lodge. 

f. The minute book of Tun Tavern Lodge of Phila- 
delphia is now in the archives of the Historical Society 
of Pennsylvania. The entries commence June 28, 1749, 
and end July 2, 1755. 

g. There is in the archives of the American Philo- 
sophical Society at Philadelphia a volume entitled 
“Benj” Franklin® Journal, began July 4, 1730,” and its 
first entries begin with that day. It is a printer’s ac- 
count book. On the cover are some indistinct letters fol- 
lowed by the inscription 

“Leidgers A & B” 

Beginning in the summer of 1734, there are scattered 
entries relating to Franklin’s reprint of Anderson’s Con- 
stitutions, and other entries against the ‘““Lodge of Masons 
held at B. Hubard’s.” (Bro. John Hubbard kept the 
Sun Tavern.) The first entry of Masonic significance 
follows September 9, 1731. The next entry is after 
June 13 and before July 7, 1734, and reads: 

“Mr. Newinham D* for a Bind® of a Mason Book 
gilt -4~” 

The account against the Lodge begins with an undated 
item; the next item is dated Sept. 1734; then two items 
are inserted as August items omitted. 

Accounts to be continued beyond this book are marked 
“Transfer’d to Leidger [or Leger] E.” 

There is:no reterénceito Cas otma oe 

Many, but by no means all, of the entries in this book 
are in Franklin’s handwriting. 


See 1898 Penn. 85-102; 1899 Mass. 51. 


AUTHORITIES 35 


h. The contemporaneous records of the Provincial 
Grand Lodge at Boston begin April 13, 1750, Peter 
Pelham, Grand Secretary, exactly seventeen years after 
the date of Price’s Deputation. ‘These records are in the 
first volume of the official records of the Grand Lodge 
of Massachusetts and are reprinted in a volume to which 
I herein refer as | Mass. That printed volume covers 
the Proceedings down to the union of said Provincial 
Grand Lodge and “The Massachusetts Grand Lodge,” 
(organized December 27, 1769, in pursuance of a com- 
mission issued by the Grand Master Mason of Scotland 
to Most Worshipful Joseph Warren, Esq., to be Grand 
Master of Masons in Boston, New England, and within 
one hundred miles of the same, the commission being 
dated May 30, 1769). Pelham, following the custom of 
the period, opened his record book with such detail as 
was then in his possession of previous happenings during 
those seventeen years. 

See | Mass. 1-10. 

He had his own part in a few of these events but, 
what is more to the point, he had available information 
thereof from Henry Price and from the other Brethren 
who were participants therein and who were his intimate 
friends and constant associates, as well as from manu- 
scripts now lost. 

When Francis Beteilhe was elected Clerk of the Vestry 
of Christ Church, Boston, he had done exactly the same 
thing; viz., begun his record book with a brief statee 
ment of the preceding history of the Church. 

O.R. 


36 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


4. MANUSCRIPTS OF THE PERIOD 


a. The original petition for the constitution of the 
First Lodge in Boston is still preserved in the archives 
of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 

See 1733, July 30, znfra. 
Facsimile, pg. 81, znfra. 

Investigations have failed to disclose any older similar 
document in the world. 

b. The original petition for the constitution of the 
First Lodge in New Hampshire is upon the same files: 

See 1735/6, February 5, znfra. 
Facsimile, pg. 149, znfra. 

c. The Beteilhe Manuscript. 

The Beteilhe Manuscript, so called, of twenty-six 
pages, is entitled almost to the dignity of a contem- 
poraneous official record. It is in the handwriting of 
Francis Beteilhe, bound with an original of the Constitu- 
tions printed by Franklin in 1734, was purchased some 
years ago for $375 (1899 Mass. 72, et seq., 1906 Mass. 
93, et seq.) and is now in the archives of. the Grand 
Lodge of Massachusetts (1916 Mass. 76). The hand- 
writing is abundantly attested by comparison with known 
specimens of his handwriting in the possession of the 
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and referred to in later 
citations, and also with the record of the Vestry of Christ 
Church, Boston, of which he was elected Clerk on Janu- 
ary 15, 1732/3, serving to and including its meeting for 
July 30, 1739. There is no clue in the Church records 
as to why he ceased to serve in the middle of this year 
except as we may judge from the handwriting itself. 
His last two entries seem to be written in a larger and 
feebler hand, certainlv in a more straggling style than 


AUTHORITIES 37 


was his custom. It looks almost as if his style of writing 
or his control of his muscles was affected by an illness of 
some sort which might account for his giving up the 
office. His successor, however, does not seem to have 
been elected until April 10, 1740. When Beteilhe be- 
came Secretary of the First Lodge in Boston and of the 
Grand Lodge we do not know. He was made in the 
First Lodge on July 24, 1734, ¢.v. infra. He signs as 
its Secretary as early as June 23, 1736, g.v. infra. He 
was appointed or reappointed Grand Secretary by Pro: 
vincial Grand Master Tomlinson on June 24, 1737 (1 
Mass. 470). Although not a member of the First Lodge 
at its constitution he had abundant opportunity to learn 
the facts which he records not only by his intimate asso- 
ciation with the other Brethren in the town of Boston, 
but also especially because he was the partner of Pro- 
vincial Grand Master Henry Price from 1736 to 1741. 

The records of the Masters Lodge from January 2, 
1738/9, to and including August 7, 1739, are in his hand- 
writing. That he gave up this Secretaryship in the same 
year that he ceased to be Clerk of the Vestry of Christ 
Church, and that the records of the Masters Lodge for 
some time after August 7, 1739, g.v., are not in the book 
give confirmatory evidence of his being afflicted by some 
indisposition during this year. 

The Manuscript starts with a copy of the petition of 
July 30, 1733, of the Brethren in Boston to be regularly 
constituted as a Lodge. This covers three pages. Pages 
four to six inclusive contain an account of the formation 
of the Grand Lodge by Henry Price, the presentation of 
the petition of the Boston Brethren, and the constitution 
of the First Lodge on July 30, 1733, q.v. infra. Pages 
seven to twelve inclusive contain the By-Laws or Regu- 


38 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


lations of the First Lodge in Boston as adopted October 
24, 1733. Pages thirteen and fourteen contain a list of 
the officers of the Grand Lodge and of the Lodge and 
also of the Brethren, this list having been written be- 
tween July 27 and August 23, 1737. Pages fifteen to 
seventeen inclusive contain votes relative to By-Laws, 
the first being passed by the Lodge on March 12, 1734/5, 
and the last on February 9, 1736/7. The eighteenth 
page is blank. Pages nineteen to twenty-one inclusive 
contain a copy of the Deputation issued by the Earl of 
Loudoun, Grand Master of England, to Robert Thom- 
linson as Provincial Grand Master. Pages twenty-two 
and twenty-three contain a copy of the letter of Glasgow 
Kilwinning Lodge, dated February 22, 1736/7, q.v. 
Pages twenty-four to twenty-six inclusive contain a copy 
of the letter from Edinburgh, dated January 28, 1736/7, 
g.U. 

There are twelve names on the Pelham List which do 
not appear in the Beteilhe Manuscript. These Brethren 
had probably ceased to be members of the Lodge by 
July 27, 1737. There is but one name, Captain Roger 
Willington, on the Beteilhe Manuscript which is not 
found on the Pelham List and that name is found in the 
Barons Letter of June 23, 1736, g.v. There are but two 
names on the Beteilhe list prior to the date of the Barons 
Letter list which are not found on the latter. These 
slight differences, to my mind, confirm the general ac- 
curacy of all of the lists and prove that no one of them 
is copied from any other but that all were drawn off 
from some original records which are now lost. 

See also 1747, May 27, énfra. 

A facsimile of pages 13 and 14 of the Beteilhe Manu- 

script is herewith presented. 


AUTHORITIES 39 


O74. oe KS a 





Krone Cas lps Ge Ye x 6 9) 
S ie a " WER ae 
2 YOO Holey beer bai 
Grrercia Socleils itp? 

/ Mah Se JIN: eccle aa 

2Gi hia ‘Eig 

3 Mie. Motony 

WATE «Seyler 

F! Doo Ses Jiallomey 
6THo FL 

hoot WlekLeor 


6Wiltne. VeLorr’ 

9 ko bart? Sion 
lnSofigr. Ons 
efi | 
nnthon ed 


BALL Coy 





PAGE 13 OF BETEILHE MANUSCRIPT 


40 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Uns Fraps’ . I : 

Soin borer Uv bunioe 
Slob Bdye Gf \\ The Mknight of 
Benj Hallow lle Wibber Ge For—Caf> 
Soran Shor Reebert-Jinlte tlh 


BO eens | an 
4G y Vion ey) ; 


Ok, Gp letiooll Es Caf Sp? Puget 






L! Soop tan- \\ Gules Varelelllare\ of, 
ho Me Co lus? larheoy ili 
Qeort Sdopie— ” 

DS chibel Gamay |\Olyg! French. VB, 


Sean’ Lore of} Vales, 


PAGE 14 OF BETEILHE MANUSCRIPT 


AUTHORITIES 41 
For facsimile of pages 4, 5, and 6, see 1733, July 30, 


infra. 

d. The Barons Letter. 

See 1736, June 23, infra. 

e. The Pelham List. 

See abbreviations, supra. 

I have compared the Pelham List and the original 
records of the First Lodge in Boston for the period when 
they overlap. There are two hundred and twenty-four 
names on the Pelham List for that period. Eight are 
given on the List whose names do not appear on the 
original records as made or accepted on the dates stated. 
Three names are given on the original records which do 
not appear on the Pelham List. Of the eight, in at least 
three instances the List must be correct and the Secretary 
in these cases omitted from the records of the Lodge some 
things which actually transpired. 


See 1747, May 27, and 1739, July 25, infra. 


5. NEWSPAPERS OF THE PERIOD 


Every newspaper published in Boston prior to March 
25, 1750, so far as they are known to exist, has been read. 
See IX publications of the Colonial Society of 
Massachusetts, containing check list of Bos- 
ton Newspapers, 1740-1780. 
Appendix to 1915 Proceedings of American 
Antiquarian Society. 

Extensive but not exhaustive search has been made of 
the papers published during the period in Charleston, 
S. C., Philadelphia, New York, and elsewhere. No com- 
plete check lists of the existing copies of these papers 
have been found. 


42 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


6. THE POCKET COMPANION 


7. PRESTON’S ILLUSTRATIONS 


Both of these were written by men who copied or 
paraphrased Anderson. Both were supplemented in suc- 
ceeding editions. Both occasionally contain lists of the 
lodges. So far, at least, as they recite facts not recorded 
by Anderson their statements concerning the events of 
the eighteenth century have great evidential value. 


8. OTHER MANUSCRIPTS AND PUBLICATIONS WILL BE 
REFERRED TO FROM TIME TO TIME 


CALENDAR 


Much confusion has arisen over dates from January I 
to March 24 inclusive prior to 1753, because to and in- 
cluding the year 1752 the first day of the new year was 
March 25 instead of January 1. Consequently old style 
March 24, 1750, for instance, was the day before March 
25, 1751; and January 1, 1750, was the day after De- 
cember 31, 1750, and not the day after December 31, 
1749. In many commentaries on early Masonic matters 
as well as upon matters of general history this distinction 
has been overlooked, with resultant confusion. Accuracy 
of dates has been attempted herein, and for clearness 
both old and new style have been indicated. For in- 
stance, March 24, 1750/1, means the day before March 
25,1751. At the time, that day was officially known as 
March 24, 1750. 


CuaPprTer III 


EARLIEST TRACES IN THE WESTERN 
HEMISPHERE 


1606, Nova Scotia. 

Dr. Charles T. Jackson, of Boston, while making 4 
survey of Nova Scotia in 1827, discovered upon the 
shore of Goat Island in Annapolis Basin a flat slab of 
trap rock with the date 1606 and what some have thought 
to be the Square and Compass deeply cut though much 
worn by time and weather. It was at first thought that 
upon this stone the French had engraved the date of their 
first cultivation of the soil in memory of their formal 
possession of the country. 

Historical and Statistical Account of Nova 
Scotia by Judge Haliburton, published in 
1829, Vol. II, p. 155. 

Dr. Jackson gave this stone to Judge T. C. Halibur- 
ton, and about 1887 his son passed it along to the 
Canadian Institute of Toronto to be inserted in the wall 
of its new building. It was duly received and instruc- 
tions were given to build it in with the inscription ex- 
posed but very stupidly the workmen covered it over with 
plaster and the stone cannot now be traced, although the 
plaster has been removed at several places to look for it 
and a reward of one thousand dollars offered for its dis- 
covery. 

Early History of Freemasonry in Nova Scotia 
and Published Lecture by M. W. Bro. Hon. 
Wm. Ross, delivered in Virgin Lodge June, 
1910, pages 3-6. 

48 


44 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Brother R. V. Harris’s theory concerning this stone 
seems the most reasonable one presented, namely, that 
“the stone marked the grave of either a mason or stone- 
cutter or possibly a carpenter who died November 14, 
1606, and not that of a speculative Freemason.” 

Transactions of Nova Scotia Lodge of Re- 
search for Jan. 31, 1916, pages 29 e¢ seq. 

In 1785, there was a tradition in Nova Scotia that 
Freemasonry had been known there while the country 
was in the hands of the French. 

See “Charges and Regulations,” etc., published by 
John Howe, Halifax, 1786. The only 
known copy is in the archives of the Grand 
Lodge of Massachusetts. 


1654, New England. 

Plymouth County Records, Volume X, page 137, con- 
tain a reference to a parcel sent from Cooper’s Hall, 
London, March, 1654, to the Apostle John Eliot ‘‘for 
the use of the Indian worke.”’ On the outside are some 
hieroglyphics which, in part at least, are unintelligible. 
The first may be intended for “‘N.E.” At its base are 
some lines which might possibly have been intended for 
the square and compasses. This, in my judgment, is 
purely fortuitous. It is a strain on the imagination to 
find any real Masonic significance in this incident. 


1656 or 1658, Rhode Island. 

Brother J. L. Gould of Connecticut published in 1868 
at New York a manual entitled “Guide to the Chapter,”’ 
in which this statement is contained: 


“The earliest account of the introduction of Masonry 
into the United States is the history of a Lodge organs 





THE MASONIC (?) STONE OF 1606 


From photograph in possession of the New England 
Histcric Genealcgical Society. 


_o— 





EARLIEST TRACES 45 


ized in Rhode Island, A.D. 1658, or fifty-nine years 
before the revival in England, and seventy-five years 
before the establishment of the first Lodge in Massachu- 
setts.” The author states that ““The Reverend Edward 
Peterson, in his ‘History of Rhode Island and Newport 
in the Past,’ gives the following account of this early 
Lodge,” etc. 


On page 101 of the 1853 edition of Peterson’s History 
the above statement is made in substance and immedi- 
ately following it in italics are the words: “Taken from 
documents now in possession of N. H. Gould, Esq.” 


In 1870 M. W. Bro. William S. Gardner, then Grand 
Master of Massachusetts, wrote to Bro. N. H. Gould 
requesting a detailed account of the documents referred 
to. On December 12, 1870, Bro. N. H. Gould replied 
by a letter quoted in full in 1870 Mass. 358, in which 
letter he says: 


“The document was dual in its nature and as follows: 

“<“Th® y® [day and month obliterated] 1656 or 8 [not 
certain which, as the place was stained and broken: the 
first three figures were plain] W mett att y House off 
Mordecai Campunnall and affter Synagog W® gave Ab™ 
Moses the degrees of Maconrie.’ ” 


He explains further that the document spoken of was 
in a very tender state and that after a time it became so 
broken that he could not have it even daguerreotyped 
and adds: ‘“‘But what there is of it was nicely enveloped 
and tucked away with some of my papers in my house 
securely but not where I can at present put my hand 
upon it.” 


46 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Judge Gardner comments: 


“It is almost impossible to treat this story with the 
attention which the subject demands. It bears upon its 
face the utter refutation of the assertion made by the 
Rev. Edward Peterson, and of the claim made by Br. 
J. L. Gould, of Connecticut. It is unnecessary to argue 
that, admitting everything in the letter to be true, it 
affords no proof, not even the probability, of the exist- 
ence of Masonry in Rhode Island previous to its intro- 
duction there by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Massa- 
chusetts about 1749. Fragmentary pieces of paper, con- 
taining partly illegible writing in the handwriting of no 
person known, ‘nw/lius filius,’ are not sufficient to con- 
trovert well-established historical facts. If the Rev. Ed- 
ward Peterson carefully examined this weatherworn 
fragment of paper, and made his statement upon the 
faith and credit of this token, then we need not be sur- 
prised to learn that in Rhode Island his History is not 
recognized as an authority.” 


The letter of December 12, 1870, was sent to M. W. 
Bro. Thomas A. Doyle, then Grand Master of Masons in 
Rhode Island, who replied, among other things: 


“T can only say that, from the best information I can 
obtain in regard to that history, the statement is not to 
be taken as a fact, unless supported by other reliable 
testimony. What he has said about Masonry is, I under- 
stand, asserted upon the authority of documents in the 
possession of W. Bro. N. H. Gould. I have made many 
enquiries about these documents of brethren in Newport, 
members of the Grand Lodge and others, and do not find 
that any one has ever seen them; neither do the brethren 
believe that any proof exists of the truth of Peterson’s 
Statementiar ei 

“My own opinion is, that the first lawful Lodge of. 


EARLIEST TRACES 47 


Masons ever convened in this jurisdiction, was the one 
which met in Newport, in 1749, under the authority of 
R. W. Thomas Oxnard, Provincial Grand Master of 
Massachusetts, which Lodge has existed since that time, 
and is now known as Saint John’s Lodge.” 


In 1891 M. W. Bro. Sereno D. Nickerson commented: 


“Tt must be confessed that both Grand Masters had 
good reason for dismissing with contempt the extrava- 
gant claim of the historian. The manufacture of docu- 
mentary evidence to supply missing links in Masonic his- 
tory is a department of belles lettres in which it seems 
especially dangerous to venture.” 


Notwithstanding repeated requests and demands, 
neither the document nor any fragment of it has ever 
been produced for examination and we are safe in con- 
cluding that unless and until the document is produced 
or accounted for, no credit can be given to it or to any 
conclusions based upon it. 


1697. 
Henry Price, founder of duly constituted Masonry in 
America, was born this year in London. See page 93. 


1700, American Colonies. 

It is generally believed, as a warranted deduction from 
known facts, that Freemasonry was brought into the 
colonies of North America at a very early period in the 
eighteenth century and that the immigrating Freemasons 
soon established Lodges at various places, which they 
worked without the sanction of warrants. 


Mackey 1517. 


48 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


These occasional Lodges, meeting ‘‘according to the Old 
Customs,” were never “‘duly constituted” but they were, 
nevertheless, “regular” prior to 1721. They were neither 
“recular” nor ‘“‘duly constituted” after June 24, 1721, 
unless and until lawfully warranted or chartered. On 
Saint John the Baptist’s Day, in 1721, the Grand Lodge 
at London adopted and promulgated the following regu- 
lation: 


“VIII. No set or number of Brethren shall withdraw 
or separate themselves from the Lodge in which they 
were made Brethren, or were afterwards admitted mem- 
bers, unless the Lodge becomes too numerous; nor even 
then without a Dispensation from the Grand Master or 
his Deputy: and when they are thus separated, they must 
either immediately join themselves to such other Lodge 
as they shall like best, with the unanimous consent of 
that other Lodge to which they go (as above regulated ) 
or else they must obtain the Grand Master’s Warrant to 
join in forming a new Lodge. 

“If any set or number of Masons shall take upon 
themselves to form a Lodge without the Grand Master’s 
Warrant, the regular Lodges are not to countenance 
them, nor own them as fair Brethren and duly formed, 
nor approve of their acts and deeds; but must treat them 
as rebels, until they humble themselves, as the Grand 
Master shall in his prudence direct, and until he approve 
of them by his Warrant, which must be signified to the 
other Lodges, as the custom is when a new Lodge is to 
be registered in the list of Lodges.” 


As will be seen hereafter the Brethren in Boston were 
the first in America to be constituted in accordance with 
this regulation (July 30, 1733). They thus became the 
first “regular and duly constituted Lodge’’ in the Western 
Hemisphere. The Lodge at Montserrat was the second 


EARLIEST TRACES 42 


in 1734; the Lodge in Pennsylvania came next in 
1734/5; the Brethren in Savannah, Georgia, and 
Charleston, South Carolina, came next in 1735; and 
the Lodge in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, followed 
in 1736. 


1705, Boston. 

Jonathan Belcher, who was born in Boston in 1681 
and was graduated from Harvard in 1699, had all 
the advantages of education and travel which the opu- 
lence of a fond father could give. Among other things 
he had the opportunity of travel in Europe where he was 
made a Mason in 1704, according to a letter which he 
wrote to the first Lodge in Boston on September 25, 1741. 
His standing was so considerable that on this trip to 
Europe he was presented to the Princess Sophia and her 
son, afterwards George II. 

His education being finished, he returned to Boston 
and engaged in business as a merchant. Almost immedi- 
ately he was chosen a member of the Council and in 
1729 again visited England, this time as the agent of the 
Colony. While he was thus engaged, Governor Burnet 
of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay died, and Mr. 
Belcher obtained the appointment of Governor of Massa- 
chusetts and New Hampshire, which he held from 1730 
to 1741, under which latter date further reference will 
be made to him. 

The point to be noted here is that as in 1705, after 
being made a Mason in England, he returned to Boston, 
he may properly be called the Senior Freemason of 
America. 

1914 Mass. 249. 
1 N.E.F. 67. 


50 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 
stay. 


It has been related within recent years that one Horace 
W. Smith possessed a letter purporting to have been 
written in 1715 by one John Moore, Collector of the 
Port of Philadelphia, in which he spoke of having “spent 
a few evenings in festivity with my Masonic Brethren.” 

This letter was for a time exploited as evidence of 
meetings of the Fraternity in Philadelphia during this 
year. This letter, however, never existed. Careful in- 
quiry discloses repeated but unsuccessful attempts by the 
acquaintances of Mr. Smith to see the letter. If he ever 
had such a letter he could have produced it or accounted 
for its absence, but he never did so. No one among his 
contemporaries or among those having had the best op- 
portunity to talk with him and to see the document if it 
existed can be found who believes there ever was such a 
letter. No notice would be taken of it here were it not 
for the fact that such Brothers as Hughan, Stillson and 
Newton, learned in historical matters, accepted the false 
statements with regard to this letter at their face value 
but without making a personal investigation to check up 
the fact. 

Mackey, 1518. 


1718/9, January 5, Boston. 
The Boston News Letter for this date, page 2, under 
its news for the Port of Boston chronicles: 


“Outward Bound, Jacob William Ship Charles and 
Free Mafon for Jamaica.” 


We shall hear of this ship again. 
Pt. 


EARLIEST TRACES 51 


1720, Boston. 

Reverend Brother Montague, formerly settled at Ded- 
ham, Mass., in the early part of the nineteenth century, 
was on a committee to investigate the title of King’s 
Chapel in Boston to certain property rights then in ec- 
clesiastical and civil legal controversy. 

Brother Montague was a member of some Army 
Lodge, the identity of which however is unknown. 
While abroad on the duties of this committee, Brother 
Montague discovered evidence that a Lodge of Free Ma- 
sons had met in King’s Chapel in Boston in 1720, al- 
though the meetings were shortly discontinued. 

In 1826 Brother Montague exhibited the evidence to 
R. W. Charles W. Moore, then editor of the Masonic 
Mirror (Grand Pursuivant 1833; Recording Grand Sec- 
retary from 1834 to 1867; Deputy Grand Master, 1868; 
Corresponding Grand Secretary, 1869 to 1873; Hon- 
orary Past Grand Master, December 10, 1873, Grand 
Lodge of Massachusetts; Active 33° N.M.J. and Grand 
Secretary General; Editor of Masonic Magazines, 1825 
to 1873). 

Brother Moore published a statement of the fact on 
January 27, 1827, in the Masonic Mirror and Mechanics 
Intelligencer. Unfortunately, critical study of Masonic 
history was not then in vogue and though Brother Moore 
subsequently referred to the matter in the third volume 
of Moore’s Freemasons’ Magazine (1844), page 163, he 
did not state the nature of the evidence upon which he 
and Brother Montague relied nor where the original evi- 
dence is to be found. 

In the concealed pages of some forgotten tome or in 
some hidden and ancient manuscript, this evidence will 
probably again be discovered by some delver into the 


52 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


secrets of the past. Until then we shall have to rest con- 
tent with the knowledge that Brothers Montague and 
Moore were highly respected by their compeers and were 
men of unquestioned veracity. ‘The evidence, therefore, 
of these meetings in King’s Chapel as now known 
neither rises to the grade of unquestioned proof nor falls 
to the level of tradition. We have the definite knowl- 
edge that men of the highest standing in the community 
actually knew of evidence which satisfied them. Certain 
known facts lend argumentative support. 

Governor Belcher of Massachusetts, to whom we have 
referred, was a Mason. His son, Andrew, was at some 
time prior to July 30, 1733, made a Mason upon this 
side of the Atlantic, as were others referred to hereafter 
under date of 1733, July 30. Extensive study demon- 
strates that at least ten of those who on July 30, 1733, 
applied to Henry Price for the Constitution of the First 
Lodge were “‘made here.” In their petition they stated 
in so many words that some of them were “made here,” 
though they omitted to tell who or how many. 

See Facsimile, page 81. 

Other confirmatory facts will later appear sufficient 
to warrant the conclusion that the first “‘regular’ Lodge ° 
in the Western Hemisphere met probably in King’s 
Chapel, Boston, in 1720. 

1914 Mass. 249, et cét. 
1888 Mass. 164. 

1891 Mass. 35. 

S. and H. 447. 


1720, August 29, Boston. 
In these days it was customary for members of the 
Fraternity to speak of Masonic matters by indirection. 


EARLIEST TRACES 53 


For instance, if a cowan or eavesdropper approached 
while Brethren were talking Masonry one would say, “It 
rains.” ‘This was the cue to turn the conversation. Bear- 
ing in mind this habit, it is interesting to read in the 
Boston Gazette for August 29, 1720, the following ac- 
count: 


Charleftown, Aug. 27. On Wednefday laft Four 
Men belonging to this Town went down in a Boat to the 
Iilands to kill wild Fowl. On their return home toward 
Sun-fet, they efpied an Heron at fome {mall diftance, 
which they attempted to fhoot. And as one of the Com- 
pany was difcharging his Piece, Another of the Company, 
(Seil. Mr. Benjamin Dowfe,) unexpectedly ftarted up 
before the mouth of the Gun and received the Shot into 
his own Body, under his right Shoulder, upon which He 
expired in a minute or two with thofe words in Acts VII. 
59. Lord Jefus receive my Spirit. When the Body was 
brought on fhore, it would have melted the moft Ada- 
mantine heart into relentines, to have heard the Weeping 
and feen the Tears, which the whole Town fhed at the 
Affecting fight. He was very much beloved and is uni- 
verfally lamented, being a Perfon of Exemplary Piety, 
and Induftry, and Good Temper, and a Widows Only 
Son. He was alfo the Town-Clerk and Treafurer, and 
One that was very ufeful in teaching the Youth, Writing, 
Arithmetick, and Singing of Pfalm Tunes. He was de- 
cently Buried yefter day (there being a vaft concourfe 
of People at his Funeral) tatis Sua XXV. 

hate 


Whoever wrote the above article probably was a 
Mason and intended thereby to inform all Brethren who 
should read the Gazette that Benjamin Dowse was a 
member of the Craft. 

The facts are as he gives them but his choice of italics 


54 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


does not accord with the custom of the day. Benj. 
Dowse’s father and brother predeceased him. He left a 
mother and three sisters. 

Our learned Brother M. Huxtall thinks that this looks 
like “the writing of a man who ‘took his Masonry seri- 
ously,’ and (perhaps half unconsciously) introduced the 
language of the Craft more or less habitually.” 


1721, June 24. 

On this day the Mother Grand Lodge of the Masonic 
world, that at London, adopted a regulation quoted on 
page 48, supra. This has ever since been the law for- 
bidding the formation of a Lodge without a Grand Mas- 
ter’s Warrant. 

This Mother Grand Lodge acquired jurisdiction over 
the new world and every Regular and Duly Constituted 
Lodge which existed in America during the period with 
which we are dealing derived its authority directly ‘or 
mediately therefrom. At least from and after the public 
promulgation of this rule (1723) every Lodge which met 
in England or her Colonies without the required author- 
ity (and there were doubtless a number of them) was 
irregular. All such came under the second paragraph of 
said General Regulation VIII. Clandestine and irregu- 
larly made Masons were no more entitled to Masonic 
recognition in the eighteenth century than they are now 
in the twentieth century. The so-called Lodges in the 
Colonies, therefore, meeting without Warrant after 1723 
are no part of legitimate Masonic history until they 
“humbled themselves” as did the Masons of Pennsyl- 
vania when they applied for and received recognition 
from Provincial Grand Master Henry Price, in 1734/5. 

Until then, under the law quoted they were “rebels.” 


EARLIEST TRACES 55 


And never in any phase of the life of the world have 
rebels obtained the rights of legitimacy unless the re- 
bellion was successful. In dealing with questions of 
precedence, primacy is to be accorded to regularity, and 
obedience to law is to be preferred to violation thereof. 
The channels of regularity since 1721 are recorded and 
certain, susceptible of definite historic proof. The story 
of the irregular Craft is vague, uncertain, and almost 
wholly traditional. No real historian to-day claims the 
exercise of warranted Masonic authority in America until 
the formation of the Provincial Grand Lodge in Boston, 


July 30, 1733, ¢.v. infra. 
Peat auly, 3S), Boston. 


The Boston Gazette under “‘Entred Inwards,” gives 
“John Peddie Ship Free-Mafon from New-Caitle.” 
Lt. 


Pal wept. 15, Boston. 

Under this date we find in the official records of the 
Port of Boston and in the Boston Weekly News Letter 
“Outward Bound. ... John Peddie, Charles & Free- 
mafon for West Indies.” 

P-t. 


1722/3, January 17, London. 
The Constitutions and Regulations of the Grand 
Lodge of England were approved for publication, con- 


taining General Regulation VIII above quoted, page 48. 
Anderson, (1723). 


1723, Boston. 
Henry Price removed to Boston. 
See Chapter V. 


56 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


N27, Philadelphia. 

At one time it was attempted to claim for this year 
proof of Masonry in Philadelphia because of the finding 
in 1756 of a manuscript copy of the “Old Charges” 
dated 1727. ‘The contention is unworthy of serious dis- 
cussion. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts owns a 
similar manuscript dated 1677 but makes no claim by 
virtue thereof. 


1909 Mass. 105-109. 


L727 Mayas: Boston. 

The Boston Weekly News Letter contains an account 
of a meeting of the Grand Lodge in London on Monday, 
February 27, 1726/7. This is the earliest known account 
in any American newspaper of a Masonic meeting. 
Would the publisher of a Boston newspaper have in- 
serted an account of the Masonic meeting in London if 
there were not known by him to be a sufficient number of 
members of the Craft in Boston to whom the item would 
be interesting reading? Does this not lend force to the 
argument that there were Lodge meetings in Boston and 
perhaps elsewhere in the Colonies and that the public 
generally knew of them? Else why would the readers 
of the News Letter be expected to care for such an item 
of news as this? The Governor-General was a Mason 
(page 49). And his son and others were ‘“‘made here”’ 
before 1733 (page 81). 


1730, June 5, London. 

The Duke of Norfolk, Grand Master of England, ap- 
pointed Daniel Coxe, Provincial Grand Master of New 
York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania for a period of two 
years. ‘There has appeared no evidence, however, that 


EARLIEST TRACES 57 


he exercised this deputation. He was on this side of the 
ocean about four months of the year 1730,* but the bal- 
ance of his two-year term he was in England endeavoring 
to perfect his title to nearly half of the Continent of 
North America, which he claimed to own by virtue of a 
erant to his father, who was physician to Charles I and 
IJ. On January 29, 1731, he was present at a meeting 
of the Grand Lodge of England (X Q.C.A. 139). Dur- 
ing that year he registered as a member of Lodge No. 8, 
meeting at the Devil Tavern within Temple Bar. He 
does appear in America in 1734 but then his commission 
had long since expired by limitation. The issuance of the 
deputation, however, establishes three facts, viz. : 

1. That the Grand Lodge of England in 1730 claimed 
jurisdiction over these Colonies. 

2. That the Mother Grand Lodge and its Grand 
Master held to the doctrine that Regular and Duly Con- 
stituted Lodges could exist in British possessions, or at 
least in the Colonies, only through the authority of the 
Grand Master of England. 

3. That the Mother Grand Ledge and its Grand 
Master in 1730 having assumed jurisdiction over New 
York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, which were then 
dependents of the British Crown, no one else had author- 
ity to establish Lodges in Pennsylvania, New York or 
New Jersey until at least after June 24, 1732, the end 
of the term of the deputation, unless it was revoked or 
superseded. 

The establishment of Lodges in Pennsylvania during 
the term of Coxe’s deputation and without his sanction 


* See article by David McGregor in The Builder for November, 1924, 
and the author’s reply in the December issue. 


58 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


was, theretore, irregular and in direct contravention of 
his authority. 
IV Gould 362. 


1730, July 9, Philadelphia. 

There is an account in the Pennsylvania Gazette of 
the meeting of the Grand Lodge in London, April 21, 
1730. From later instances which will be referred to 
it is suspected that this was clipped from some Boston 
newspaper now lost. 


1730, July 27, Boston. 

The New England Weekly Journal gives an account 
of a Lodge held at the Horn Tavern in London on May 
L2e FOU 

P-t. 


1730, August 13, Philadelphia. 

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, January 17, 
1706. He left Boston in October, 1723, although he 
was again in Boston the following year. On October 11, 
1726, he arrived in Philadelphia after a trip to London. 

In 1730 Franklin was not a Mason. He was then 
twenty-four years old and was publishing the Pennsyl- 
vania Gazette. In the issue of the Gazette August 13, 
1730, he reprinted from the New England Weekly 
Journal of July 27, 1730, the account of the Lodge 
meeting in London, last above referred to. Is it not an 
irresistible conclusion that there were Masonic Lodge 
meetings attended by sufficient numbers to make them 
known to the community at least in Philadelphia and 
Boston? If in Philadelphia and Boston, why not else- 
where in the Colonies? 


EARLIEST TRACES 59 


The regulations of the Grand Lodge of England, 
June 24, 1721, adopted in the first instance to apply only 
within the City of London but almost immediately ex- 
tended to the British Empire, were not thoroughly known 
and enforced throughout the Empire. It was as late as 
1738 before it can be said that they were firmly estab- 
lished everywhere, though prior to 1738, as we shall see 
later, they had become known to and enforced in those 
centres of population upon this side of the ocean where 
Masonry was practised and which were in touch through 
merchants and mariners with the Mother Country. 


1730, August 20, Philadelphia. 

Account in Philadelphia Gazette of a Lodge meeting 
in London in June at which “the celebrated Mr. Orator 
—Henley—was admitted,” etc. 


1730, Fall of Year. Philadelphia. 

The claim once emanated from Philadelphia that a 
letter was written in 1754 by one Henry Bell to Dr. 
Thomas Cadwallader in which the writer is alleged to 
state that at a meeting in Philadelphia in the fall of 
1730 application was made to Daniel Coxe for a Charter 
which was granted by him. It is now admitted by every 
Masonic student, both within and without Pennsylvania, 
that there never was such a letter. The story is like that 
about the Rhode Island document of 1656 or 1658 and 
the John Moore letter of 1715. No one of them de- 
serves more dignified reference than to call it a “fake” 
pure and simple. 

1888 Mass. 131-137. 
1899 Mass. 56. 
1909 Mass. 108. 

1 O.M.L.P. 10. 





60 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1730, December 8. Philadelphia. 

Franklin (not then a Mason) republished in his Phzla- 
delphia Gazette an alleged exposé of Freemasonry which 
had been circulated for some time in England. It begins 
as follows: 


“As there are several Lodges of Free Masons erected 
in this Province, and People have lately been much 
amus’d with Conjectures concerning them; we think the 
following Account of Free-Masonry from London, will 
not be unacceptable to our Readers.” 


The statement that there were “several”? Lodges must 
be taken cum grano salts. While there is evidence herein 
referred to that Brethren did about this time assemble as 
a Lodge, there is little reason to believe that there was 
more than one such Lodge. 

X O.C.A. 140, 152. 
IV Gould 361. 
1883 Mass. 184. 
1903 Mass. 52. 


1730/1, January 29, London. 

Daniel Coxe was still in England and in attendance 
upon the Grand Lodge in London. During the year he 
was registered as a member of Lodge No. 8, at the Devil 
Tavern within Temple Bar. 


X Q.C.A. 140, 152. 


1730/1, February, Philadelphia. 

Benjamin Franklin was made a Mason during this 
month in an assemblage of Brethren in Philadelphia 
which met ‘‘according to the Old Customs” although that 
method had for ten years been forbidden. Although 


EARLIEST TRACES 61 


irregular, they undoubtedly met and worked in Philadel- 
phia as well as in Boston and perhaps elsewhere. 
IV Gould, 362. 

They became regular in Pennsylvania after February 
21, 1734/5, g.v., through the granting by Henry Price of 
Franklin’s petition of November 28, 1734, g.v. 

1914 Mass. 252, ef cit. 


1730, London. 

Lord Baltimore was made a Mason in England during 
this year. He was Proprietor of Maryland from 1715 
to 1751, and Royal Governor in 1732 and 1733. There 
is no evidence that he practised or promoted Masonry on 
these shores, but it is not impossible. 

IV Gould 262. 
Mackey 1517. 

It is recorded in the records of the Grand Lodge of 
England that Henry Price had returned to London. This 
year he was a member of Lodge No. 75, meeting at the 
Rainbow Coffee House in York Buildings (now The 
Brittanic No. 33). 

X O.C.A. xviii and 183. 
1 Mass. 432. 


1730, Georgia. 

The third edition (1805) of Webb’s Monitor (page 
299) stated that Masonry in Georgia dated from 1730. 
This was an error which Webb corrected in subsequent 
editions. The statement, however, has been copied with- 
out correction in several works and has given rise to a 
curious situation as to which see “1735 after October 30,” 
infra. 

It is too early to look for Freemasons here. The first 


62 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


emigrants to Georgia landed on the bluff now occupied 
by the City of Savannah, on January 31, 1732/3. On 
this spot there was at the time an Indian village called 
Yamacraw. 

M. W. Brother W. S. Rockwell who wrote the history 
of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, first published as a part 
of its Ahiman Rezon in 1859, repeated a statement made 
in 1856, 

15 M.F.M. 354 

that “‘it is not altogether certain that the date A.D. 1730 
is erroneous as to the time when the power was conferred 
upon Roger Lacy; although no formal government ex- 
isted in the colony of Georgia until 1733, yet the terri- 
tory now occupied by the State was then under the gov- 
ernment of Carolina.” But he either forgot or did not 
know that in 1730 there was not a white settlement any- 
where in the province—the whole territory was a wilder- 
ness, the hunting ground of savages. 

It cannot seriously be contended that the Grand Mas- 
ter of England actually granted the necessary powers for 
a Provincial Grand Lodge to be erected among the sub- 
jects of Chief Tomochichi. Until the landing of Ogle- 
thorpe with his emigrants in January, 1732/3, the only 
white man known to be in what is now Georgia, was a 
trader by the name of Musgrove, who was married to a 
half breed named Mary. 

2 History of Ga. (Stevens) 89. 

As further authority, Brother Rockwell quotes Clavel’s 
“Histoire Pittoresque de la France Maconnerie”’ (1884) 
and Ragon’s “‘Orthodoxie Macconnique” (1853). How- 
ever, it 1s well known that as a historian no reliance can 


be placed upon Clavel. Ragon undoubtedly copied the 


EARLIEST TRACES 63 


error which Webb made in his first edition and Clavel 
evidently copied from Ragon. 

For Brother Rockwell’s views and the conclusive reply 
of R. W. Charles W. Moore, see 

15 M.F.M. 353-362. 

The date 1730 published in Webb’s Monitor was per- 
haps a typographical error, but in any event Webb recog- 
nized the mistake and corrected it at his first possible 
opportunity. It does seem rather far fetched to try to 
justify Webb’s error without a single fact or authority 
upon which to base such justification. 

See page 138, infra. 


WaleMay 13, Philadelphia. 

“Some Information concerning the Society called Free- 
masons,” quoted from Chambers Universal Dictionary, 
is published in the Pennsylvania Gazette, and in the 
same issue is a notice of a Masonic meeting in Dublin. 


1731, June 24, Philadelphia. 

In January, 1884, the discovery was reported of a book 
known as “Libr B” containing a statement of the finan- 
cial affairs of the assemblages of the Brethren in Phila- 
delphia for about seven years. It begins with this date 
and is the oldest American Lodge account book known. 
See page 31. From it we are warranted in concluding 
that on this day and previously the Brethren of Phila- 
delphia assembled as heretofore pointed out. Like all 
meetings in Philadelphia, Boston, and elsewhere in the 
Colonies at this period the Lodge was neither “Regular” 
nor “Duly Constituted.”” From the entries in “Libr B,” 
we learn that there were fourteen members of the Lodge 


64 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


at this time. Under this date ‘Libr B” charges the en- 
trance fees of John Hobart (Hubert), Mark Joyce, and 
Thomas Rodman (Redman), and the remainder of the 
fees of Benjamin Franklin and Henry Pratt. 

“Libr B” and accounts in the Pennsylvania Gazette 
for the next two years refer to a “Grand Master,”’ etc. 
Brother Gould correctly states, however, that no linger- 
ing doubt now remains as to the ““Lodge”’ and the “Grand 
Lodge’ being one and the same body. 

IV Gould 234, 361, 363. 

Concerning “Libr B” and Brother Sachse’s contention 
concerning early American Freemasonry, see his work 
called “Old Masonic Lodges in Philadelphia.” 

A page of “Libr B” is here reproduced. 


H7Sleduly 3: Philadelphia. 
L.B. charges Thomas Whitemarsh’s entrance fee. 


1731, July 22, Philadelphia. 
The Pennsylvania Gazette publishes an account of a 
Masonic meeting in London. 


1731, August 2, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L.B. indicate a meeting. 


1731, September 6, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L.B. indicate a meeting. 


1731, September 9, Philadelphia. 

In Franklin’s Journal under some date after Septem- 
ber 9, 1731, but probably before October 16, is the entry, 
“Blanks for Mason’s 100 —5..——” 

FJ. 


ve 4a 


* a Mak co 
7 es To. Rite @ TROT 


J 


A OA oe emma a = 


fo dict as 
fos Be 


ore £ 


ee 
- 


: 2 iy vias 








EARLIEST TRACES 65 


1731, September 27, —_ Boston. 

The Weekly Rehearsal publishes an account of the 
installation at Dublin of the Right Honourable Lord 
Kingston as Grand Master of Ireland on July 7, 1731. 

P—t. 


1731, October 4, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


Bie 79. 7N 
eee 








ly Servusts ier’ (Cteecore, 
? CASI Be Aut 
? gee ves Qbnknerd 
2} — fo gee 
\| Bihaths forGllarone 
, op sad? 
? a sae Ge CLEC ans, 
Qt 16) Cov ee oy 


ey (2. | a. o 


FACSIMILE OF ENTRY IN FRANKLIN'S JOURNAL 


1731, November 1, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1731, December 6, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1731/2, January 3, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


66 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1731/2, February 7, Philadelphia. 
L. B. charges entrance fees of John Hall, Samuel Mc- 
Clanan, and Lawrence Reynold. 


1731/2, February 17, Boston. 

The Weekly News Letter relates that “the Society of 
Real Masons held their Lodge of St. Michael” at Lon- 
don on September 30, 1731. 

books 


1731/2, March 6, Philadelphia. 
L.B. charges entrance fee of David Parry. 


1732; April 3, Philadel phia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1732, May I, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1732, May 11, Philadelphia. 
The Pennsylvania Gazette has a Masonic notice from 
Dublin. 


oer ines: Philadelphia. 

It is reported that in 1885 there was in the possession 
of George T. Ingham, Esq., of Atlantic City, N. J., a 
document in Benjamin Franklin’s handwriting (except 
the signatures) reading as follows: 


“Gentlemen of the Lodge 

The Committee you have been pleased to appoint to 
consider of the present State of the Lodge, and of the 
properest Methods to improve it, in obedience to your 
commands have met, and, after much and mature De- 
liberation, have come to the following Resolutions :-— 


EARLIEST TRACES 67 


1. That since the excellent Science of Geometry and 
Architecture is so much recommended in our ancient Con- 
stitutions, Masonry being first instituted with this De- 
sign, among others, to distinguish the true and skilful 
Architect from unskilful Pretenders; total Ignorance of 
this Art is very unbecoming a Man who bears the Worthy 
Name and Character of Mason; We therefore conclude, 
that it is the Duty of every Member to make himself, 
in some Measure, acquainted therewith, as he would 
honour the Society he belongs to, and conform to the 
Constitutions. 

2. That every Member may have an Opportunity 
of so doing, the present Cash be laid out in the best 
Books of Architecture, suitable Mathematical Instru- 
ments, etc. 

3. That since the present whole Stock is not too large 
for that purpose, every Member indebted to the Lodge 
pay what is from him respectively due on Monday night, 
the nineteenth Instant, that so the whole being ready by 
the 24th of June, may be sent away by the first Oppor- 
tunity. And that every one not paying that Night, be 
suspended till he do pay: For without Care be taken that 
Rules are punctually observed, no Society can be long 
upheld in good Order and Regularity. 

5. That the use of Balls be established in its full 
Force and Vigour; and that no new Member be admitted 
against the will of any present Member; because certainly 
more Regard ought to be had in this way to a Brother 
who is already a Mason, than to any Person who is not 
one, and we should never in such cases disoblige a 
Brother, to oblige a Stranger. 

6. That any Member of this Lodge having a com- 
plaint against any other Member, shall first apply him- 
self to the Wardens, who shall bring the Cause before the 
Lodge, where it shall be consider’d and made up, if pos- 
sible, before the Complainant be allow’d to make that 
Complaint publick to the World: the Offender against 
this Rule to be expell’d. 


68 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 
June 5, 1732. 


The Members whose Names are underwritten, being a 
Majority, agree unanimously to the within Proposals of 
the Committee (except the fourth, which is cross’d out) 
and accordingly have hereunto set their hands. 

Will. Pringle 

Thomas Boude 

B. Franklin 

Xtopher Thompson 

Thos. Hartt 

David Parry 

John Emerson 

Law Reynolds 

John Hobart 

Henry Pratt 

Sam’] Nicholas. 
“Benjamin Franklin as a Freemason,” page 21. 


1732, June 24, Philadelphia. 

The Pennsylvania Gazette for June 26, 1732, recites 
that a Grand Lodge was held this day at the Sun Tavern 
in Philadelphia at which W. Allen, Esq. was chosen 
Grand Master for the Province of Pennsylvania; that | 
Mr. William Pringle was appointed Deputy Grand Mas- 
ter; and that Thomas Boude and Benjamin Franklin 
were chosen Grand Wardens. 

See 1731, June 24, supra. 
1914 Mass. 252, et cét. 
1883 Mass. 184. 


William Allen 


William Allen was born in Philadelphia, August 5, 
1704, and baptized, August 17, in the First Presbyterian 
Church. In 1725, he was studying law at the Temple in 


WILLIAM ALLEN 69 


London, and returned to Philadelphia prior to Septem- 
ber 21, 1726, but appears again to have gone abroad, 
and did not return until the spring of 1728. During his 
absence, he was elected a Common Councilman; in 1731 
he became a member of the Assembly, serving until 1739; 
October, 1735, he was chosen Mayor of the City. Allen 
repeatedly served as Judge of the Orphans’ Court and 
the Court of Common Pleas; in 1741, he was Recorder, 
succeeding his father-in-law, Andrew Hamilton, and con- 
tinued in that office until October 2, 1750, when he was 
appointed Chief Justice of the Province, an office he held 
until 1774, when he went to Engiand, where he pub- 
lished ‘“The American Crisis,” setting forth a plan for 
restoring the dependence of the American Colonies. 

A portrait of Grand Master Allen was painted by 
Benjamin West before he left Philadelphia, and 1s de- 
scribed by Brown, in the Forum, Vol. 1, pp. 248-249. 
In this portrait, he has a curled wig and ruffled sleeves, 
but is otherwise dressed as plainly as possible. The cos- 
tume is a shade of brown, the face round, with rather 
straight features, and is distinguished by bonhomie and 
good sense, rather than by intensity of intellectual action. 

Judge Allen was elected a member of the American 
Philosophical Society, January 19, 1768. 

In “Libr B” at the head of his account, commencing 
June 24, 1731, he is styled “Grandm’r.”” Brother Allen 
was afterwards appointed Provincial Grand Master by 
Lord Byron, the Grand Master of England, in 1750, 
which office he is supposed to have held for some years. 
After the Revolution Bro. William Allen returned to 
Philadelphia, and lived in retirement on his estate at 
Mount Airy, now the Seminary of the Evangelical Lu- 
theran Church, where he ended his days in comparative 


70 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


obscurity, dying on September 6, 1780. He was buried 

quietly on the following day. ‘The lane leading from 

his house to the Wissahickon still bears the name of 

‘““Allen’s Lane,” and has also given the name to a station 

on the Pennsylvania Railroad branch to Chestnut Hill. 
1O.M.L.P. 29-31. 


1/32, July 3, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1732, July 24, Boston. 
The Boston Weekly News Letter contains the follow- 
ing curious statement under its news from London: 


“Laft Monday [April 17] were admitted of the Hon- 
ourable and Ancient Society of Free and Accepted 
Mafons, George Skinner of Enfield, Efq., a blind Gen- 
tleman; and the fame Day the Right Hon. the Earl of 
Strathmore.” 


Those who regard the “perfect youth” or “physical 
perfection” doctrine as a landmark, will have difficulty 
in reconciling this fact. 


1732, August 7, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1732, September 4, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1732, October 19, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


WILLIAM ALLEN 


From portrait painted by Benjamin West. 





a 





EARLIEST TRACES 71 


1732, October 30, Boston. 
The Weekly Rehearsal chronicles a Grand Lodge meet- 
ing in Dublin on August Ist. 
P-t. 


1732, November 6, Philadelphia. 
L. B. charges the entrance fees of James Brigham and 
Humphrey Morrey. 


1732, December 4, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1732/3, January 1, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1732/3, February 5, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1732/3, February 9, Annapolis, Maryland. 
The Maryland Gazette contains the following item of 
interest under its London news, dated September 30, 


1732. 


On Sunday about Two in the Afternoon, was a Lodge 
of Free and Accepted Mafons, at the Rofe Tavern in 
Cheapfide, where in the Prefence of feveral Brethren of 
Diftinction, as well Jews as Chriftians, Mr. Edward 
Rofe, was admitted of the Fraternity, by Mr. Daniel 
Delvalle, an eminent Jew, the Mafter Capt. Wilmot, &Xc. 
who were entertained very handfomely; and the Evening 
was {pent in a Manner not infringing on the Morality 
of the Chriftian Faith. 

oe 


72 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Masonic newspaper items had been often published 
before this in Boston and Philadelphia. Evidently 
there were by this time enough Masons in Maryland to 
attract attention. We know that the Royal Governor, 
Lord Baltimore, was a Mason. 


1732/3, February 19, Boston. 
The Weekly Rehearsal contains an article relative to 
the Papal Nuncio under its Parisian news, vz: 


“On the 5th, the Nuncio having made his Publick 
Entry in the accustomed Manner, is now bufily employed 
in the Ceremonious Part of his Functions; that is, in 
making Vifits to the Princes and Princeffes of the Blood, 
in paying and receiving Compliments to and fro among 
the Cardinals, Minifters, and prime Nobility. On Mon- 
day, his Excellency, being a FrEE Masov, is to lay the 
firft Stone towards the building of the great Altar in the 
Church of S. Sulpice.” 

eu 


1732/3, March 5, Philadelphia. 
L. B. charges the entrance fee of John Crapp. 


1732/3, March 22, Philadelphia. 
The Pennsylvania Gazette has an account of the initia- 
tion of a Jew in London. 


1733, April 2, Philadelphia. 
L. B. charges the entrance fee of William Paschal. 


1733, April 5, Boston. 
The Boston Weekly News Letter has an account of a 
Grand Lodge meeting in London on January 15, 1732/3. 
| rea 


EARLIEST TRACES 73 


1733, April 6, Annapolis, Maryland. 
The Maryland Gazette contains the following item: 


London, Dec. 16. Yefterday Seven-night, there was 
a Grand Committee of Free and Accepted Mafons, from 
feveral Lodges, at the Horn Tavern in Palace-yard, 
Weftmin{ter, to confider of raifing a Sum of Money, by 
Subfcription, for the Reléef of their poor Brethren, 
throughout Britain and Ireland. If in this, they meet 
with good Succefs, it will convince the Werld that there 
is fome real Merit in the Mafon Word. 

Pest 


Why these Masonic newspaper items in Annapolis 
unless the Brethren were meeting there also ‘according 
to the Old Customs” ? 


CHAPTER IV 


THE FOUNDING OF DULY CONSTITUTED 
FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1733, April 13. London-New England. 

On this day, in the Grand Mastership of Lord Vis- 
count Montague, a Deputation issued to Henry Price as 
“Provincial Grand Master of New England and Do- 
minions and Territories thereunto belonging.” ‘This was 
the second Deputation issued for the western world. 
That issued to Coxe, however, never having been exer- 
cised, the Deputation to Price becomes the first to be 
transmitted across the seas and being immediately put 
into operation is the first regular Masonic authority for 
American Masonry. 

The date of Price’s Deputation has often been given 
as April 30th and it is possible the latter date is correct. 
It was so written by Pelham when he recorded the Com- 
mission in the first book of the Provincial Grand Lodge 
records. It is also so recorded in the earliest volume now 
extant of the Proceedings of the First Lodge in Boston, 
in the handwriting of Ebenezer Swan. An inspection, 
however, of the original record discloses that Swan 
started to write the word “thirteenth” and after writing 
the first “e’”’ changed the word to “thirtieth.” This indi- 
cates that he had something which led him to think the 
date was the thirteenth but concluded to accept Pelham’s 
authority and therefore changed it to the thirtieth. 
Probably Pelham was wrong and Swan’s first inclination 

was correct. The fourth page of the Beteilhe Manu- 
74 


FOUNDING OF FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 175 


script, written between July 27 and August 23, 1737, 
expressly gives the date as the thirteenth. (Facsimile, 
page 85.) The original petition for the First Lodge 
in Boston, written July 30, 1733, also clearly gives 
the date as the thirteenth. (Facsimile, page 81.) In 
the Deputation of the Duke of Beaufort to John Rowe 
(1768) is found the recitation, “Our Right Worshipful 
and well beloved Brother Henry Price Esq’ of North 
America, Constituted Provincial Grand Master for North 
America by Viscount Montague Grand Master April 
both, 1733.” 
1 Mass. 150. 

It is likely that when Charles Pelham wrote his copy, 
he misunderstood whoever was dictating it to him or mis- 
read the original and that his blunder was followed by 
Ebenezer Swan, though in Swan’s mind he had remem- 
bered it was the thirteenth. April 13 is confirmed by an 
entry made by Grand Secretary French in a volume of 
manuscript records of the Grand Lodge of England 
which reads as follows: 


“N.B. The Deputation of Bro’ H. Price has never 
come to my hand, but among other loose papers I have 
found the following memorandum. (Signed) Tho* 
French. 

“Viscount Montague, G.M. 

Henry Price, Esq" P.G.M. for all North America and 
the Territories thereunto belonging, Date April 13", 
1733, desire the favour to resign his Provincialship in 
favour of John Rowe, Esq* to be Provincial G.M. over 
North America where no other Provincial is appointed. 

(Signed) Beaufort, G.M. 


He resigning recommends John Rowe, Esq’. We 
therefore do hereby con-. . .”” 


76 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Henry Price received this Deputation in person (1 
Mass. 402) paying the fee of three guineas therefor to 
Thomas Batson, Esq., then Deputy Grand Master, who 
with the Grand Wardens signed the Deputation. 

1 Mass. 134. 

In Civil War days, when paper stock was scarce, the 
late Right Worshipful Brother Thomas W. Davis, 
(Mass. Junior Grand Warden, 1883; Grand Secretary, 
1908-1914) then a boy, was employed in buying for a 
dealer all the old papers that could be found in 
Townsend, Massachusetts, and vicinity. He has told the 
author that he then bought nearly all the old papers 
there were in the residences of that town. He distinctly 
remembered buying of the Wallace (or Wallis) family. 
What he collected he piled into his wagon and carted to 
Fitchburg, where it was sold to paper makers. He felt 
firmly convinced that he had gathered, among others, all 
the papers of the Wallaces and other heirs of Henry 
Price and thus had ignorantly and innocently been the 
instrument of destruction of this very Deputation. 

Price’s Deputation as copied by Pelham is as follows: 


Montague (seal) G:M. 

To all and every Our R' Worsh' Worshipful and Lov- 
ing Brethren now Residing or who may hereafter Re- 
side in New England, 

The R‘ Hon? and R‘ Worsh' Anthony Lord Viscount 
Montague Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Ma- 
sons of England, 

Sendeth Greeting 

Whereas Application has been made unto us by our 
R‘' Worsh and well Beloved Bro” M" Henry Price in 
behalf of himself and several other Brethren now Re- 
siding in New England aforesaid Free and Accepted 
Masons, that We would be pleas’d to Nominate and Ap- 


FOUNDING OF FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA "7 


point a Provincial Grand Master of Free and Accepted 
Masons in N: England aforesaid. 

Now Know Ye That we have Nominated, Ordain’d, 
Constituted and appointed and do by these Presents 
Nominate, Ordain, Constitute and appoint Our said 
Worsh' and well Beloved Bro" M" Henry Price, Pro- 
vincial Grand Master of New England aforesaid and 
Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging with full 
power and Authority to Nominate and appoint his Dep- 
uty Grand Master and Grand Wardens, and We do also 
hereby Impower the said M* Henry Price, for us and in 
Our place and Stead, to Constitute the Brethren (Free 
and Accepted Masons) now Residing or who shall here- 
after reside in those parts, into One or more Regular 
Lodge or Lodges, as he shall think fit, and as often as 
Occasion shall require, He the said M* Henry Price, 
taking special care that all and every Member of any 
Lodge or Lodges so to be Constituted have been or shall 
be made Regular Masons, and that they do cause all and 
every the Regulations Contain’d in the Printed Book of 
Constitutions (except so far as they have been alter’d 
by the Grand Lodge at their Quarterly meetings) to be 
kept and Observ’d and also all such other Rules and 
Instructions as shall from time to time be Transmitted 
to him by us or by Thomas Batson Esq" Our Deputy 
Grand Master, or the Grand Master or his Deputy for 
the time being, and that He the said M* Henry Price 
or his Deputy do send to us or Our Deputy Grand Mas- 
ter and to the Grand Master of England or his Deputy 
for the time being annually, an acco‘ in Writing of the 
number of Lodges so Constituted with the Names of the 
several Members of each Particular Lodge, together with 
such other Matters & things as he or they shall think fit 
to Communicate for the Prosperity of the Craft. 

And Lastly we Will and Require that our said Pro- 
vincial Grand Master of New England do Annually 
cause the Brethren to keep the Feast of S* John the 
Evangelist, and Dine together on that Day, or (in case 


78 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


any Accident should happen to prevent their Dinning to- 
gether on that Day) on any other Day near that time as 
he shall Judge most fit as is done here and that at all 
Quarterly Communications, he do recommend a General 
Charity to be Establish’d for the Relief of Poor Brethren 
in those parts. 
Given under Our Hand and Seal of office at London 
the Thirtieth Day of April 1733 & of Masonry 5733. 
By the Grand Master’s Command 
Tho* Batson D.G.M. 
G. Rooke 8.G.W. 
J. Smythe J.G.W. 


It has been urged that there is no account of Price’s 
Deputation in the records of the Grand Lodge of Eng- 
land for 1733, and that, therefore, it was not voted by 
the Grand Lodge. It certainly was not voted by the 
Grand Lodge, for according to the regulations it was 
the Warrant of the Grand Master that was a deputation 
in those days, not a Charter or other instrument from a 
Grand Lodge. Price’s Deputation is by no means the 
only unrecorded authority to a Provincial Grand Master. 
It is true that a copy of the Warrant to Coxe appears 
in the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of England, but 
it is also true that there was a recognized Provincial 
Grand Lodge in Chester before May 10, 1727, yet no 
record was made of its Warrant, Charter or other au- 
thority (X Q.C.A. 73). The same is true of the Pro- 
vincial Grand Lodge of South Wales, which existed 
earlier than June 24, 1727 (X Q.C.A. 75); also of the 
Provincial Grand Lodge of East India, which dates from 
prior to December 13, 1733 (X Q.C.A. 237). 

There is no record of the appointment of a Provincial 
Grand Master for Ireland, yet a Brother appeared and 
was recorded as such at the meeting of the Grand Lodge 


FOUNDING OF FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA ‘179 
of England on November 21, 1732 (X Q.C.A. 232). 


There are many later instances. As the late Brother 
Sadler, Librarian and Curator of the Grand Lodge of 
England, wrote in 1910: 


“The appointment of Provincial Grand Masters, then 
as now, was a prerogative of the Grand Master (and) 
consequently never appeared in the Grand Lodge Muin- 
utes except in some few instances in the early days of the 
Grand Lodge.” (Brother Henry Sadler, Librarian and 
Curator of the United Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. 
Masons of England to Bro. Julius F. Sachse, Dec. 31, 
1910, quoted in 1 O.M.L.P. 11, note 16.) 


1733, April 26, Philadelphia. 
*« The Pennsylvania Gazette copies from the Boston 


Weekly News Letter the notice referred to under April 5, 
_ 1733, supra. 


1733, April 30, London. 
The date of Henry Price’s Deputation as recorded by 
Pelham and Swan. 
1 Mass. 1. 
But see, 1733, April 13, supra. 


1733, May 7, Philadelphia. 
L. B. charges the entrance fees of Peter Cuff and 
Richard Parkhouse. 


1733, June 4. Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1733, June 14, Philadelphia. 
Account in the Pennsylvania Gazette of a Masonic 
meeting in London. 


80 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1733, June 25, Philadelphia. 

The Pennsylvania Gazette for June 28, 1733, recites 
that a Grand Lodge was held at the Tun Tavern in 
Philadelphia this day at which Humphrey Murray 
(Morrey), Esq., was elected Grand Master, and an en- 
tertainment was provided attended by distinguished 
guests. 


Humphrey Morrey (Murray). 

Humphrey Morrey was a grandson of the first Mayor 
of Philadelphia. The Morrey family were wealthy 
Quakers who moved to Philadelphia from New York in 
1685. Humphrey, however, renounced Quakerism and 
was baptized (when an adult) in the First Presbyterian 
Church in Philadelphia. He was a merchant and diss 
tiller. He died between the 6th and 13th day of Au- 
gust, 1735, unmarried and without issue. From his will 
dated November 7, 1732, it appears that he, William 
Allen, John Crapp (who served as Franklin’s Deputy 
Grand Master) and Joseph Shippen were cousins. 

1 O.M.L.P. 38. 


LYSGy aul yes Philadelphia. 


L. B. charges the entrance fee of Owen Owens. 


L7B33 July 30: Boston. 

Henry Price formed a Grand Lodge in Boston, ap- 
pointing Andrew Belcher, Esq., (son of the Governor) 
his Deputy Grand Master, and Brothers Thomas Ken- 
nelly and John Quane, Grand Wardens, pro tempore. 

1 Mass. 3. 
B.MS. 5. 

When Charles Pelham (in 1750) wrote the record of 

this evening in the first existing volume of the Grand 





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FACSIMILE OF PETITION FOR FIRST LODGE IN BOSTON | 





FOUNDING OF FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 81 


Lodge record book he either copied from the Beteilhe 
Manuscript (see pages 86 and 87) or both were taken 
from an original now lost. For in language so nearly 
identical that the accounts could not have been written 
independently, both report that after forming the Grand 
Lodge, Price ordered his Commission or Deputation to be 
read, and then ordered to be read a petition of eighteen 
Brethren addressed to him praying that they might be 
Constituted into a regular Lodge by virtue of said Depu- 
tation. Ten, at least, of the petitioners had been ‘‘made 
here,” 1.e., had been made Masons in Boston in some of 
the earlier meetings held, like those in Philadelphia and 
elsewhere perhaps, without charter or warrant but ac- 
cording to the “Old Customs.” Thereupon he granted 
the prayer thereof and did then and there in the most 
solemn manner according to ancient custom and form as 
prescribed by the book of Constitutions, constitute them 
into a regular Lodge. This original petition, apparently 
in the handwriting of Henry Hope, who that evening 
was chosen Master, is still in the archives of the Grand 
Lodge of Massachusets, bearing the original signatures 
of the petitioners and a facsimile is here presented. 


Copies of both said Deputation and petition are in the 
Beteilhe Manuscript, the original of which is in the 
archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 

Most Worshipful Soreno D. Nickerson and some other 
historians have thought that the Lodge was not consti- 
tuted until August 31, 1733, that being the date stated 
in two letters written by Francis Beteilhe as Secretary of 
the First Lodge in Boston in September, 1736. 

1 Mass. 393. 


The date given in the letters, however, was evidently 


82 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


an error of the scrivener who correctly stated the fact in 
the Beteilhe Manuscript. Both the Beteilhe and Pelham 
accounts are definite and detailed. Moreover, the list 
of the Brethren made and accepted in the First Lodge 
of Boston with the time when made or admitted, written 
by Charles Pelham in 1751 (the accuracy of which is 
attested by the list in the Beteilhe Manuscript, the list 
enclosed with the Barons letter of June 23, 1736, and the 
original records of the First Lodge in Boston from De- 
cember 27, 1738) not only records the eighteen signers 
of the petition as becoming members of the Lodge on 
July 30, 1733, but discloses that John Smith was made 
on August 3, 1733. This is improbable if the Lodge 
was not constituted until August 31. Smith’s name, in 
order as given on the Pelham List, appears also in the 
Beteilhe Manuscript and the Barons letter. It seems cer- 
tain that the Lodge was organized on July 30 and met 
and worked before August 31. 

This Lodge, consolidated with two others later, is 
now St. John’s Lodge of Boston. 

The orginal Charter of this Lodge was in the posses- 
sion of the Grand Lodge as late as December 13, 1826, 
when it was voted to return it to St. John’s Lodge. It 
had been surrendered February 7, 1783, when Grand 
Master John Rowe issued a new Charter upon the union 
of the First and Second Lodges. 

O.R. of Mass. Grand Lodge for Sept. 13, and 
Dec. 13, 1826. 

This precious document was doubtless destroyed in the 
disastrous fire of April 6, 1864, when the Grand Lodge 
of Massachusetts lost its Temple and many invaluable 
treasures. 

“Boston in New England” without date of Constitu- 


FOUNDING OF FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 88 


tion or time of meeting is No. 126 on the 1734 English 

official engraved list of Lodges. Few dates of the con- 

stitution of Lodges in distant parts are given in this list. 

No other Lodge in America, however, appears on this 

list, which closes with No. 128, constituted in 1734. 
Hughan’s Facsimile. 

This is the first time that any Lodge in the Western 
Hemisphere appears on any list of Lodges. 

IV Masonic Magazine, London (Nov., 1876) 
210-215. 

This Lodge is the only American Lodge listed in the 
1735 list. 

L.H.B. 29, 186. 

The first appearance of any other American Lodge in 
an official list is in the engraved list for 1736 where we 
find No. 139 “Savannah in ye Province of Georgia.” 

Pat Bol 

The first Lodge in Boston advanced in the various 
enumerations from No. 126 to 110, 65, 54, 42 and 39. 
It was carried on the English Register until the Union 
of 1813 although it had passed from that jurisdiction at 
the time of the Massachusetts Union of March 5, 1792. 

L.M.R. 66. 

In all lists after 1735 this Lodge is accredited to 1733 
and is listed as meeting at the Royal Exchange, in Bos- 
ton, New England. As a matter of interest a facsimile 
is here inserted of the 6th page of the official list for 
1761, which until now has never been reproduced. 

For an illuminating discussion of the official listing 
of the First Lodge in Boston see: 

IV Gould, 247. 

Facsimiles of pages 4, 5, and 6 of the Beteilhe Manu- 

script, containing an account of the first regular constitu- 


84 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


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FACSIMILE OF PAGE 6 OF ENGLISH 
OFFICIAL ENGRAVED 1761 LIST 


FOUNDING OF FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 85 


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86 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 





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FOUNDING OF FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 87 


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FACSIMILE OF PAGE 6 OF BETEILHE MANUSCRIPT 


88 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


tion of a Lodge in America are herewith presented, read- 
ing as follows: 


At a Special Chapter 
of 
Free & Accepted Masons 


Regularly met & Congregated at the houfe of Edw® 
Lutwych at the Sign of the Bunch of grapes in King 
Street Boston, N. Encx® On Munday July the 30th 
A.D: 1733 & of Mafonry A: 5733. 

The following Brethren being regularly met in the 
Lodge at y® houfe afores* unanimously agreed to peti- 
tion, & did then accordingly petition Our Rt. Worfpl: 
Bro. M* Henry Price Provincial Grand Master of the 
Free & Accepted Mafons of New England, to Constitute 
Us in a regular Lodge by virtue of y® power & author- 
ity to him given by a Deputation from Our Rt. Worfp- 
full & Worfpfull Brother and Rt. Hon”® Anthony Lord 
Visco’ Montague Grand Master of England Dated in 
London the 13th day of Aprill A.D. 1733 and of Ma- 
fonry A.5733 and sealed with y® Seal of the Grand 
Lodge 
Signed by Our Rt. Worfpfull Brothers 
George Rook Esq* 
James Moor Smith Esq* jew. of England 

Our said Worfpfull G.M. having formed a Grand ~ 
Lodge, appointing our Rt. Worfpfull Bro. Andrew 
Belcher Esq’ his Deputy G. M?* and our Wor{pfull 
Brethren Mef{™ 
Tho*® Kennelly 

& Grand Wardens pro Tempore 
John Quane 


Ordered his commifsion (or Deputation afores*) to be 
read, as also our Petition. And granting the prayer 
thereof, Did then & there in the most Solemn manner, 
according to Ancient Right & Custom, and the form pre- 
scribed in our printed book of Constitutions 


FOUNDING OF FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 89 


CoNSsTITUTE us into a Regular Lodge in Manner & form, 
upon which we imediately proceeded (by our S® Rt. 
Worfpfull G. Master’s Order) to choose a Master and 
unanimously chofe our Wffull Bro. Henry Hope Esq’ 
Master of this our new Constituted Lodge, Who then 
nominated & appointed our Worfpfull Brethren 

M’ Frederick Hamilton }nis sy igeanpess 

M* James Gordon 
which all the Brethren unanimously concurred paying the 
usuall respects to our S° Worshypful new chosen Master 
& Wardens. And presenting them to our R‘ W:full G. 
Master, who caused them to be duely examined & being 
found well qualifye’, approved & confirmed them in their 
severall stations by Investing them with the Implements 
of their Offices, giving each his particular Charge and 
admonishing the Brethren of the Lodge to due Obedience 
& Submifsion according to our printed book of Constitu- 
tions Charges and Regulations &c. 


Nore. It is evident that preparations had been made 
in advance for this meeting. Jewels for the officers had 
been made ready. The occasion was elaborate and 
formal and followed the English ceremonial which Price 
had doubtless witnessed while in England. The installa- 
tion was then, as now, made a part of the ceremony of 
constitution. 

I regard it as demonstrated beyond question or cavil 
that Henry Price was, as he said himself, the Founder 
of Duly Constituted Masonry in America and that this 
First Lodge in Boston was the first regular and duly- 
constituted Lodge. But this Lodge had theretofore been 
meeting without any formal authority. No one knows, 
probably no one ever will know when a Lodge first met 
in America “‘according to the Old Customs” but without 
warrant, charter or lawful constitution. Neither Price 


90 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


nor any one else has left us any information. What 
Price did say was that the First Lodge in Boston was 
“the oldest (or first Constituted) Regular Lodge in 
America.” 

See page 332. 

From personal association with the Brethren both in 
England and America, Price knew whereof he spoke. 
And our modern researches confirm his statements. 

When Beteilhe says that, even before the petition, the 
Brethren were “regularly met in the Lodge,” he gives a 
clear indication that they had been in the habit of meet- 
ing as a Lodge though without any “authority from 
home.” 


1733, August 3, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. John Smith made. 
P.L. 


1733, August 6, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1733, August 23, Philadelphia. 

Account in American Weekly Mercury that at the Red - 
Lyon in Canterbury, England, “the celebrated Mr. Tay- 
lor” was made a Mason. 


1733, August 31, Boston. 

This is the date of the constitution of the First Lodge 
in Boston as given in the Robertson letter of September 
1, 1736, and the Barons letter of June 23, 1736, q.v. 
infra. 


But see, 1733, July 30, supra. 


FOUNDING OF FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 91 


1733, September 3, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1733, September 12, _—_— Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Moses Slaughter and 
Thomas Phillips made. 
als. 


1733, September 29, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1733, Autumn. 

Benjamin Franklin visited Boston and made the ac- 
quaintance of Henry Price. 

IV Gould, 235, et cét. 

It may have been that this conference between Price 
and Franklin had something to do with that extension 
of Price’s power over all North America which was 
granted to him from London in August of the next year. 
(See Chapter VII.) 

1914 Mass. 256, e¢ cét. 
1883 Mass. 189. 

Is it not probable that Franklin then obtained from 
Price not only much Masonic instruction but also a copy 
of the Constitutions which Franklin reprinted in May, 
1734% 


CuaPTER V 
HENRY PRICE 


It is proper here to place on permanent record a brief 
biography of the life of Henry Price, the ““Founder of 
Duly Constituted Masonry in America.”’ He was born 
in London about the year 1697. The only information 
concerning his life prior to 1733 is obtained from his 
sravestone, except that it is recorded in the minutes of 
the Grand Lodge of England that in 1730 he was a mem- 
ber of Lodge No. 75, meeting at the Rainbow Coffee 
House in York Buildings. 

X O.C.A. xviii and 183. 

This gravestone until 1888 stood in the old cemetery 
in Townsend, Massachusetts, a small town situate forty- 
six miles from Boston upon the border of Massachusetts 
and New Hampshire. The old burying place is about a 
mile from the centre of the town, on high land, sur- 
rounded by a forest of evergreens and on the northerly 
side of the County Road. | 

L7 MEE NGI: 

The stone having become badly cracked and in danger 
of total destruction, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 
deeming that the spot where his remains rest should be 
commemorated by a more suitable monument, obtained 
in 1888 through the liberality of one of the citizens of 
Townsend a deed to a plot of land in the new cemetery in 
the same town, to which the remains of Henry Price 


were removed. The old gravestone was moved to the 
92 


HENRY PRICE 93 


Temple in Boston where it is now preserved. A repro- 
duction of this stone taken where it stood in December, 
1871, is herewith presented. In clearly defined letters 
thereon is the following epitaph: 


(Human Face with Wings) 
In Memory of 
Henry Price, Efq’. 

Was Born in London about the Year of our Lord 
1697 he Remov’d to Bofton about the Year 1723 Rec*. a 
Deputation Appointing him Grand Mafter of Mafons 
in New England & in the Year 1733 was Appointed 
a Cornet in the Governors Troop of Guards 
With the Rank of Major by his Diligence & induftry 
in Bufinefs he Acquired the means of a Comfor- 
table Living with which he remov’d to Townfen® 
in the latter Part of his Life. He quitted Mortality 
the 20" of May A D 1780 Leaving a Widow & two Young 
Daughters With a Numerous Company of Friends 
and Acquaintance to Mourn his Departure Who 
have that Ground of hope Concerning his Prefent 
Lot Which Refults from his undifsembled Regard 
to his Maker & extenfive Benevolence to his 
Fellow Creatures Manifefted in Life by 
a behaviour Confiftent With his Character 
as a Mafon and his Nature as a Man 
An hone{ft Man the Noble{t Work of God. 


On June 21, 1888, Henry Endicott, as Grand Master 
of Masons in Massachusetts, dedicated the monument 
which now stands over his remains where they lie buried 
in the new cemetery. 

In 1723 he was about twenty-six years of age. How 
long he remained in Boston after his first residence there 
is unknown. On April 13, 1733, he was in London for 
he that day received his deputation as Provincial Grand 


94 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Master of New England in person from Thomas Batson, 
Esquire, then Deputy Grand Master. On January 27, 
1768, in a letter written by him to the Grand Lodge of 
England he says, “I myself paid three guineas therefor 
to Thomas Batson, Esquire, then Deputy Grand Master 
who with the Grand Wardens then in being signed my 
said deputation.”’ 

Sometime between April 13 and July 30, 1733, he 
returned to Boston and remained in this country the 
rest of his life, although August 6, 1755, he wrote a 
letter to the Grand Master of England in which he said, 
“IT have some remote thoughts of once more seeing Lon- 
don, with all my Brethren in the Grand Lodge after 
twenty-two years’ absence.” 

His Masonic career during the period covered by this 
book will be referred to frequently hereafter and in this 
chapter we shall for this period deal mainly with other 
facts of his life. 

The first we can learn of him in Boston from any civil 
official record is to be found on the files of the Court of 
Common Pleas in Boston at its January term in the year 
1733/4 when he brought suit against a debtor and is 
described in the writ as “Henry Price of Boston,” etc., 
“taylor.” At this time it was essential that a litigant’s, 
trade or profession should be accurately set forth in the 
writ; failure in this respect would abate the writ. 

During the year 1733 Governor Jonathan Belcher ap- 
pointed him Cornet in his Troup of Guards with the 
rank of Major and from that time he was known as 
Major Price. As late as 1792 his executors refer to him 
as Major Price and in the inventory of his effects, filed 
in the Probate Court within a month after his decease, 
appear a red jacket, red breeches, housing and holsters, 





ORIGINAL STONE OVER GRAVE OF HENRY PRICE 
From a Photograph taken December 1871. 


HENRY PRICE 95 


a pair of horse pistols, spurs, sword, belt and silver- 
hilted sword. ‘These undoubtedly were his military uni- 
form. The office was that of standard-bearer in the 
Governor’s troop of cavalry. Special privileges were ac- 
corded by law to the gentlemen of the Governor’s troop 
and additional favors to its officers. In those days any 
military commission gave prominence and high respecta- 
bility to the individual honoured with it; but to hold an 
official position in the select body-guard of His Majesty’s 
Captain General and Governor of New England was 
considered an especial favour, and of itself conferred 
honourable social distinction. 

Price carried on his business at the sign of the Brazen 
Head on Cornhill at a point which is now on Washing- 
ton Street about half-way between Water Street and 
State Street and opposite William Court. The great fire 
of 1760 began in this building, then occupied by Mrs. 
Mary Jackson and William, her son, as a dwelling house 
and store. 

In 1736 Price formed a partnership with Francis 
Beteilhe, to whom reference has already been made, and 
who was closely associated with Price in Masonry as well 
as in business. Beteilhe was the shopkeeper, while Price 
carried on the tailoring establishment. 

About 1739 they apparently gave up tailoring, for 
after this time he and his partner are described as shop- 
keepers until the firm was dissolved in 1741 when Price 
assumed sole control of the business, after the failure of 
the health of Beteilhe, and carried it on for some time 
at the corner of Pond and Newbury Streets, now the 
corner of Bedford and Washington Streets. Price 
owned a large lot of land on the southerly side of what 
is now Bedford Street upon which were a brick store and 


96 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


dwelling house while part of the premises was used as a 
garden. 

In 1740 Price purchased for £1000 a lot of land with 
buildings thereon situated on the northerly side of King 
Street, now State Street. When Price purchased this 
estate there was a wooden building upon it but before 
November, 1744, he completed the erection upon the lot 
of a brick dwelling which was begun in the spring; and 
upon his application the Selectmen gave him permission 
to erect a sign post in King Street opposite his store. It 
was the usual custom in those days for a storekeeper to 
occupy the upper part of the building as a dwelling 
house with his family. This Price did. He dealt in 
clothing and dry goods and apparently was very success- 
ful, for in 1750 he retired. After this he did not engage 
in any occupation so far as can be learned but we do 
know that he possessed a great amount of real estate. 

In 1737 Major Price became engaged to Miss Mary 
Townsend, then seventeen years of age, a daughter of 
Samuel Townsend of Boston, who died in 1720. She 
was possessed of some property. In May, 1737, her 
uncle, James Townsend of Boston, was appointed her 
cuardian. He was bitterly opposed to the marriage, al- 
though we do not know the reason. It may have been 
due to religious differences, for Price was an Episcopalian 
and Townsend a rigid Puritan. The Puritans of those 
days were bitter in their opposition to those who fol- 
lowed the religion of the prayer-book. When on July 
25, 1737, Henry Price and Mary Townsend were duly 
published according to the then custom, her Uncle James 
forbade the banns. His opposition did not prevent the 
marriage, however, which took place in the fall of 1737, 
and in October, 1738, a daughter Mary was born to 


HENRY PRICE 97 


them. Uncle James died in 1738, leaving an estate ap- 
praised at £21,000—large for those days. By his will 
he left public and private bequests but his niece, Mary 
Price, was not remembered. 

In 1739 Price and his partner brought suit against one 
William Wesson, describing the defendant as a “‘house- 
wright.” Wesson came into court by his attorney and 
pleaded in abatement that he was a “‘joyner” and not a 
“housewright,” and the writ was ordered abated. A new 
action was thereafter brought describing Wesson as 
“joyner’ and the plaintiffs prevailed. 

In 1740 Price and his wife Mary sold her interest in 
a lot of land on Savage’s Court in Boston. 

In 1742, as a result of an execution levied upon the 
property of one Thomas Phillips of Boston, in a suit 
brought by Price, the Major became possessed of the 
Hartshorn Farm, so-called, and certain other real estate 
in Townsend, where some years iater he made his home. 

In 1746 Price purchased a piece of land “with the 
edifices and buildings thereon situated, at a place called 
Menotomy Fields, in Cambridge.” This is now the town 
of Arlington and Price made his summer residence on this 
estate, situated on the great highway from Lexington to 
Concord, over which years afterward the British troops 
marched to burn the provincial stores in those towns. 

It appears by the records of the Grand Lodge that on 
April 12, 1751, Brother Price made an offer of the use of 
his house at Menotomy for the celebration of the Feast 
of St. John the Baptist, and it was voted that the cele- 
bration be held at his house and that the Brethren pro- 
ceed there in regular procession. When the day came, 
however, the Brethren went in procession to the house of 
Mr. Richardson in Cambridge, “Brother Price’s house at 


98 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Menotomy being encumbered by sickness.” The sick: 
ness must have been somewhat serious for it is not re- 
corded that Brother Price attended the Feast. Probably 
it was the illness of his wife Mary; for we have reason to 
believe that she died about that time. 

April 29, 1752, the banns of Henry Price and Mary 
Tilden, both of Boston, were published and they were 
married by the rector of Trinity Church on the 25th of 
May following. Major Price owned half a pew in this 
church which he held at the time of his decease. In 1750 
Price became a member of the Boston Episcopal Charita- 
ble Society, instituted in 1724, the second oldest charita- 
ble foundation in New England. 

During Price’s Grand Lodge activity the Episcopal 
clergymen of Boston and Newburyport frequently of- 
ficiated and preached sermons before the Grand Lodge 
upon the Feast Days of St. John the Baptist and St. 
John the Evangelist, at Trinity and Christ churches in 
Boston. This was undoubtedly due to the influence of 
Price, because the general feeling in Boston was hostile 
to those who adhered to the “religion of the prayer- 
book.” 

After Price retired from business in 1750 we find him 
several times described in writs, deeds and instruments’ 
as “gentleman,” thus indicating that he no longer fol- 
lowed what was then technically known as the “mystery 
or degree” of any calling. 

Until 1755 he continued to be a resident of Boston, 
passing the summer season at his country seat in Cam- 
bridge. | 

After his second marriage he either greatly enlarged 
or entirely rebuilt his house at Menotomy and increased 
its extent so that his lands stretched out down to the 


HENRY PRICE 99 


pond, and extended them on both sides of the highway 
with barns, stables, and everything necessary to the com- 
fortable home of a gentleman and his family. The house 
was so large that it was generally called the “great 
house.” 

In 1755 he took up his permanent residence at Cam- 
bridge with his wife and daughter Mary, then about sev- 
enteen years of age. He was rich for the times and evi- 
dently looked forward to many years of comfort upon this 
pleasant estate. 

In 1759 or 1760 his wife died, followed by the death 
of his only daughter on October 8, 1760. From then on 
he lost all interest in his Cambridge home and immedi- 
ately moved again to Boston. Just thirty-two days after 
his daughter’s death he sold the estate at Menotomy. 

After a year or two of residence in Boston he moved 
to Townsend where he continued to reside until his 
death. Shortly after moving to Townsend he was chosen 
to represent that town in the Provincial Legislature in 
1764 and 1765. Townsend had not had a representative 
in the Legislature prior to 1764 for nineteen years. He 
served upon many committees and evidently became 
Townsend’s leading citizen. 

On September 17, 1771, he married again, his third 
wife being Lydia Randall, a resident of Townsend, who 
was a widow with a minor son by the name of John 
Abbott. Their marriage articles—what we now call an 
ante-nuptial settlement—were made on September 6, 
1771. Two children were the offspring of this marriage, 
Mary and Rebecca, both of whom survived their father. 

His estate at Townsend was a large one, embracing 
several farms, with buildings, mills, mill privileges, me- 
chanical shops, wood lots and hundreds of acres. 


100 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


He was too old to be a participant in the Revolution- 
ary War but on May 14, 1779,:shows his loyalty by 
adding after the day and year of a conveyance, the words 
“and third year of the independence of the United States 
of America.” 

On May 14, 1780, while splitting rails, his axe 
glanced and struck him in the abdomen, inflicting a se- 
vere and fatal wound. He evidently realized he could 
not live for his last will and testament was executed on 
the next day. On the 20th of the same month he died 
at the age of eighty-three years. 

He left what was for those days a large estate. Un- 
fortunately it was afterward greatly impaired by law 
suits and defective titles and by the devastations conse- 
quent upon the War of the Revolution. His will, still 
on the files of the Registry of the Probate Court for the 
County of Middlesex in Massachusetts, exhibits clear- 
ness of intellect and comprehension as well as his re- 
ligious character. Indeed at the time of his death he 
possessed three pews in meeting houses not of his re- 
ligious faith. 

His daughter Mary in 1787 married William Wallis 
(Wallace) of Pepperell and descendants of the family 
remained residents of the vicinity until about 1860. His 
daughter Rebecca was married April 21, 1788, to George 
Farrar of Townsend. No descendants are known. His 
widow, Mrs. Lydia Price, married for her third husband 
Lieutenant Levi Whitney, of Shrewsbury, on November 
13, 1780. They lived for many years thereafter upon 
the Price Homestead. 

During his life Major Price had a black servant, proba- 
bly a slave, called Scipio. He, although lame and in- 


HENRY PRICE 101 


firm from old age, was supported by the estate in suitable 
comfort for many years. 

The records show that during his life Major Price was 
possessed of real estate in Boston, Hull, Cambridge, Wo- 
burn, Concord, Sherburne and Townsend in Massachu- 
setts, as well as in towns in New Hampshire, Rhode 
Island and Connecticut, fully justifying the inscription 
on the gravestone that ‘“‘by his diligence and industry 
in business, he acquired the means of a comfortable 
living.” 

For further details of his life, reference is made to the 
exhaustive address by the Grand Master of Massachu- 
setts published in the Printed Proceedings of that Grand 
Lodge for December 27, 1871, from which quotations 
have been freely made. Also 1883 Mass. 150; 1888 
Mass. 90, 107; 1891 Mass. 19; 1899 Mass. 50; 1903 
Mass. 44; 1906 Mass. 74; 1909 Mass. 105; 1914 Mass. 
253; 1916 Mass. 310. 

Price served as Provincial Grand Master not only 
from his appointment until 1737 but also from July, 
1740, to March 6, 1743/4; from July 12, 1754, to Oc- 
tober 1, 1755; from October 20, 1767, to November 
23, 1768. 

During intervening periods he was charter Master of 
the Masters Lodge and of the Second Lodge in Boston, 
and Master of the First Lodge. He presided over the 
Grand Lodge as late as April 30, 1773, in the absence 
of Grand Master John Rowe, although he then lived 
over forty miles distant and was seventy-six years of age. 
His last recorded attendance at Grand Lodge was Jan- 
uary 28, 1774. 

' The portrait of Henry Price, used as the frontispiece 


102 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


of this book, may be regarded as a real portrait. On 
September 29, 1857, M. W. John T. Heard, then Grand 
Master of Masons in Massachusetts, visited ‘Townsend, 
accompanied by the Grand Wardens and Grand Secre- 
tary. They found there William Wallace (Wallis) the 
fourth son of Mary who was the daughter of Henry 
Price by his third wife. Wallace was then a bachelor 
sixty-six years of age, living alone in a small 10’ x 12’ 
single room cottage. M. W. Brother Heard had been in 
correspondence with William Wallace in 1856, and had 
obtained from him a portrait painted of Henry Price 
in 1737, when he was forty years old. This portrait 
was in such a shattered state that its restoration was 
despaired of. It was, however, placed in the hands of 
an eminent artist, Bro. George Howarth, and M. W. 
Winslow Lewis informs us that, by the skill of Brother 
Howarth, the picture was made as good as new. It, 
was presented to the Grand Lodge December 30, 1856, 
and by order of M. W. Bro. Lewis, was placed in the 
west of the Grand Lodgeroom, there remaining until the 
fire of April 6, 1864, at which time it was utterly 
destroyed. 

1888 Mass. 96. 

1857 Mass. 53. 

17 M.F.M. 11. 

Previously, however, a lithographic copy had been 
made for use as the frontispiece to the Book of Consti- 
tutions in 1857. Fortunately, also, a copy had been 
painted for Henry Price Lodge, 

1897 Mass. 103 
and this copy still hangs in the ante-room to its lodge- 
room in Charlestown, Massachusetts. From this copy, 
a steel engraving was made which was used by M. W. 


HENRY PRICE 103 


ro. Gardner with his elaborate historical address to 

which reference has hereinbefore been made. 
1871 Mass. 284-393. 

Because of the availability of two copies made from 
the original painting (one of them being in colors) a 
teal portrait of Price was painted in 1914 and now 
hangs in the West of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge- 
room. The hand-carved frame bears the pomegranate, 
lotus and seven-eared wheat which have immemorially 
been indicia of the Grand Master’s office. 


1914 Mass. 171. 


CHAPTER VI 


BOSTON—PHILADELPHIA—GEORGIA 


1733, October 24, Boston. 
The First Lodge adopted its “By-Laws or Regula- 


tions.” 


O.R. 
B.MS. 7-12. 
1883 Mass. 159. 


These are so quaint and interesting as to be worth 
quoting. They read as follows: 


[st 


BES 


Die 


No Person shall be made a Mason unlefs all 
the Brethren members Prefent are Unanimous 
and if but one Member be against him he shall 
be rejected. 

No Brother shall be admitted as Member of » 
this Lodge unlefs all the Members Prefent are 
unanimous as aforesaid and upon his or their 
admifsion shall pay twenty shillings, as also 
their Quarteridge, agreable to a former Vote, 
so many Lodge nights as is past of that Quarter 
to be first discounted, and shall consent to the 
by Laws and regulations of this Lodge by Sub- 
scribing their names to the same. 

No Brother or Brothers shall shall (sc) eat 
any victuals in the Lodge Room while the 
Lodge is open, without the leave of the Mafter 
or Wardens nor call for any Liquor or Tobacco 
without Leave as aforesaid. 


BOSTON 105 


.\ oe, i (pe i t Ay Che Mont oF by Ly A ead pee . 
vICIA My i, lee ke re] oe by Ue os Sorel YA ft, fois iy Abs pe 


ee Veuve oy ech tes pire Cee ag Bee Ae 


(2e, 


- - 


all ae Pee evil Bad JO 


‘ Seah rade a Me Ves, altMeyellbeco 
fo is e ‘gene bone Jremb or CU Same 


ley loget (tfent « vee t Yow 226 9090 Lea, 


jay tyr g Lp ME IY evs Ara t. Be ed ae ees) | ae oan 
Wr’ r sty Died fadt ba drite awTiso bor Blow por ny 


unbifowl oe Se DTN a ah eh yee s 
2p “per Kes or lhe Lr oe ingfon Aa pay the erly K an 
aw aloe Hear Sear ri a, agrec aie Lt affirm er ith, (ila ~ 2 
a5? Oo” ee Ad wes pact a Rabe Cia be foief dccpery ano 

a ca n2J02AC lo Kee by Vihie  SA Sore adeitind of Kiadles “ge by 


teting > Ramer eine _ eee 


pig Aa Tyolher eee Brolliat Miehate oa Pee 
oy 

elo doe ta oo AG VA rand ( BROM, LE PS of Pahisfe 

Wes QT Law gor call ea Lo pe ore es se he 08 ‘CL2/ e/) Aah: 


—_— omen -- 


oe 

Ve Ye, Dope a RE ss rpegh JMB in Ray le maduan 

a@ wine 246 Gv ¢ dispedalion’, Sronvten « Naviirh Sato Joe. re pr = vy 

‘ Torrie Doo Les G fee LCS of thal. va, Of ey Ns rect of He a rena 

hal tv joa idfer Sache prarfinp, ( bul ewvery: ‘7 ne af yuecd 
i pre ale! PP hore Ait pay bel ¢ a de t tite ofihat ds egg o 
V Ao Brother psy eee es Her. AS a lout Mee team (Fer ‘i's cs MLE 
J, ah - ates ) WIEN bo idonler (ese ale seler bifre hot 


fsa Agr Lat aan Vel TE. 2 of Cory ali. ple 2 «ti? d paysng hed ys, 
~ ‘cat Fertig yee rate nak Puppia lal rahe tel «tember 


ofa hk oA es 9’; Untifp Gy « Saray Me Lerater Mbagiomy 
W (¢ wctylinilarchet py wee LG V4 Ts AS sie ata fe 


Do 4 DL Af. ° ° — : aya ¥ io 
W ify ) “holler errs LA f Daprle tng. Were wn Me we 6@— 
footy eehaul fart otheng rane SA Mer Haflr ee ang tte 

/ D) 


A, 


FACSIMILE OF RECORD OF BY-LAWS OF FIRST LODGE IN BOSTON 


106 
AGRE 


vy 


Al 
Vil 


Vili 


Tx 


X thy 


FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Any Person or Persons being balloted in 
may be made on a private night by dispensa- 
tion from the Master & Wardens Provided the 
Expence of that Lodge be not taken out of 
the money that is paid for such making, but 
every Brother present at such private making 
shall pay his Clubb or share of that Expence. 

No Brother that Lives within or about this 
Town (that is not a member of this Lodge) 
shall be admitted as a Visitor, before he has 
Signified his desire of being a Member and 
paying his Quarteridge, or else make it appear 
that he is actualy a Member of a Regular 
Lodge; Unlefs by a Dispenfation of the Mas- 
ter & Wardens. 

Every Visitor shall pay three shillings to- 
wards the Reckoning Each night. 

No Brother shall propose any Person in the 
Lodge to be made without first asking leave of 
the Mafter and Wardens. 

Every Member of this Lodge shall pay 
eighteen shillings pr Quarter for the Expense 
of the Lodge, and every member that does not 
pay his Quarteridge on the first Lodge night 


of the Quarter, or on the second at farthest (if 


Prefent) shall be Excluded from being a Mem- 
ber, and all Privilidge of the Lodge. 

Every Member shall pay at Least two shil- 
lings more pr Ord. to be applied as Charity 
Towards the Relief of poor Brethren. 

Any Member that proposes a Candidate, if 
Voted or Balloted in; the member that pro- 
posed his friend, shall immediately deposite 
fourty shillings in the hands of the Cashire, 
which shall be Allow’d as part of the Making, 
provided the candidate attends at the time he 
is proposed to be made, but if the candidate 
does not attend as aforesaid, being duly warned, 


Xe 


SULLY 


> G08 bane 


BOSTON 107 


the said Fourty shillings shall be forfeited and 
spent and not allowed as part of that making. 

The Treasurer or Cashier of this Lodge, upon 
his quitting his office or when another is chosen 
in his room, shall render a just and true Accot 
to the Master & Wardens of the Lodge for the 
time being of all the money Rec‘, Expended 
& Remaining in his hands with the Lodge 
book & Accompts which he is to deliver up to 
the Master and Wardens in order & fairly 
stated. 

The Master & Wardens of this Lodge shall 
take care that the Expence of a Lodge night 
(when there is no making) shall not Exceed 
three shillings pr Member prefent for the 
Reconing which sum of three shillings p" mem- 
ber or Bro" present, the Cashire has Liberty to 

ay & no more. 

The Master of this Lodge, or in absence, the 
Grand Master Deputy Grand Master or War- 


_ dens, when there is a private Lodge ordered 


XIves 


to be held for a Making shall be obliged to 
give all the Members timely notice of the time 
and place in writing where such Lodge is held 
that they may give their attend® and every 
member being duly warned as aforesaid and 
neglecting to attend on such Private making 
shall not be clothed. (The above article 
Voted Nov: 14th: 1733: 5733). 

No member that is absent from the Lodge 
of a Lodge night when there is a making, shall 
have the Benefit of being cloathed for that 
time. 


“Being cloathed” refers to the very ancient custom, 
now forgotten, of requiring the candidate to furnish each 


member 
gloves. 


present with an apron and a pair of white 


108 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1733, November 5, Philadelphia. 
L. B. charges the entrance fees of Lambert Emerson, 
Thomas Hopkinson, and John Newingham. 


1733, November 9, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Peter Prescott and Ben- 
jamin Brenton made. 


PFE: 


1733, November 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
See 1733, October 24, XIII™Y, supra. 


1733, November 19, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Robert McLean made. 
leh bes 
Philadelphia. 
L. B. charges the entrance fee of Christopher Routh. 


1733, December 3, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1733, December 13, London—~Georgia. 
The minutes of the Communication of the Grand 
Lodge of England record: 


“Then the Deputy Grand Master opened to the 
Lodge the affairs of planting the new Colony of 
Georgia in America, and having sent an account in 
print of the nature of such plantation to all the Lodges, 
informed the Grand Lodge that the Trustees had to 
Nathaniel Blackerby, Esq., and to himself commissions 
under their Common Seal to collect the charity of this 
Society towards enabling the Trustees to send distressed 


GEORGIA 109 


brethren to Georgia where they may be comfortably 
provided for. 

Proposed that it be strenuously recommended by the 
Masters and Wardens of regular Lodges to make a gen- 
erous collection amounst all their members for that 
purpose. 

White being seconded by Bro. Rogers Holland, Esq. 
(one of the said Trustees) who opened the nature of 
the settlement, and by Sir William Keith, Bart, who 
was many years governor of Pennsylvania, by Dr. 
Desagulier, Lord Southwell, Bro. Blackerby and many 
other very worthy Brethren, it was recommended ac: 
cordingly.” 

It is known that poor families were sent to Georgia 
and that the Fraternity contributed toward their relief. 
The terms of the vote are to send poor brethren to 
Georgia, not to help any one already there. 

X Q.C.A. 235. 
Mackey 1518. 
See 1730, supra, and 1735, after October 30, énfra. 


1733, December 22, Norfolk, Virginia. 

The learned R.W. Brother John Dove, of Virginia, 
contended that the Royal Exchange Lodge at Norfolk, 
Va., was established on this date. On several official 
lists it so appears, being first found upon the list for 
1754, near its close, as No. 236. In all lists, however, 
it is with the 1753 Lodges, following No. 235 accredited 
to December 20, 1753, and preceding No. 237 ac- 
credited to February 9, 1754. It was carried on the 
lists until the 1813 revision becoming numbers 173, 
Bevel is bt and 102. 

OL: 
L.M.R. 101. 
L.H.B. 48. 


110 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


It is evident that 1753 is correct, and that 1733 is 
an error. 

IV Gould, 378. 

The information which Brother Dove had led him to 
suspect at one time that Blandford Lodge at Peters- 
burg, Va., was founded about this time by the Grand 
Lodge of Scotland. He was misinformed. Blandford 
Lodge is given in the Scottish list as No. 82, whereas 
Saint Andrew’s Lodge at Boston (1756) is No. 81. 

P.C. (1st Edinburgh Ed. 1761) Appendix 112. 
Const. G. L. of Scotland (1852 Ed.) 63. 

The correct date for Blandford Lodge is probably 
March 9, 1756. In later editions of his history Brether 
Dove assigned it to 1757. 


1733, December 28, Boston. 

The Feast of Saint John the Evangelist was cele- 
brated in Boston and James Gordon was chosen Master 
of the First Lodge. 

1 Mass. 4. 


1733/4, January 7, Philadelphia. 
L. B. charges the entrance fee of Richard Howell. 


1733/4, January 19, Philadelphia. 
L. B. charges the entrance fee of John Waugh. 


1733/4, February 4, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1733/4, February 10, Georgia. 
A Lodge met in Georgia, probably, for the first time 
this day. 
See 1735, after October 30, znfra. 


1734 111 


1733/4, February 27, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. William Walker made. 
1541 8 


1733/4, March 4, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1733/4, March 18, London—Georgia. 
The following was this day adopted by the Grand 
Lodge of England: 


“Resolved that all the Masters of all regular Lodges 
who shall not bring in their contribution of charity, do 
at the next quarterly communication give the reasons 
why their respective Lodges do not contribute to the 
settlement of Georgia.”’ 


OM i 


It is now reasonably certain that, beginning shortly 
before this date, a Lodge was doing Masonic work in 
Georgia. 

See 1735, after October 30, znfra. 


1734, March 29, Boston. 
The Boston Gazette for April 1, 1734, contains the 
following item: 


Anntpoits RW, Embark'd from hence tos that Place with 
Capr. Peter Blin. , 

On Friday Evening laf at Mr. Lutepytcbe’s long Room in 
King -Street, wis beld & Grand-Lodge of the Ancient and Hon= 
o.wable Society of Free and Accepted Mafons where His Excel- 
lency Governor Betcngr, anda conflderable Numb<r of the. 
F, acernity were prefent. | 

Capt. Woodbury on Friday laft Acsived here in about 14Days 
MD” ~ fs5 in rare “coune -“ 


ITEM FROM Boston Gazette FoR APRIL 1, 1735. 


Pt 


wrnoy 





Co) 


112 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1734, April 1, Philadelphia. 
L. B. charges the entrance fee of Isaac Browne and 
James Hamilton. 


1734, May 6, Philadelphia. 
L. B. charges the entrance fee of Joseph Shippen. 


1734, May 16, Philadelphia. 

Benjamin Franklin first advertises in the Pennsyl- 

vania Gazette his reprint of the Constitutions. 
Benjamin Franklin as a Freemason (Sachse), 3. 
ds oN 

They were not ready for delivery until August, when 
he sent seventy copies to Boston. Later in the year he 
sent still more copies to his brother James in Boston by 
the hand of his brother Peter. 

FJ. 

The few copies of this book known are in the libraries 
of the Grand Lodges of Pennsylvania, New York, Iowa, 
and Massachusetts; of the Historical Society of Pennsyl- 
vania, of the University of Pennsylvania, and of the 
Southern Supreme Council, 33°. One perfect copy 
belonging to Massachusetts is bound with the Beteilhe 
Manuscript. When they were put together no one 
knows. ‘They were purchased by the Grand Lodge of 
Massachusetts in this condition. The Grand Lodge of 
Massachusetts also owns a copy bearing the autograph 
upon the title page of William Walker who was made 
in the First Lodge in Boston, February 27, 1733/4. 


1734, May 22, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge in Boston. William 
Wesson made and Brother Benjamin Pemberton, Esq. 
admitted. 

ede 
B.MS. 


1734 113 


1734, June 3, Philadelphia. 
L. B. charges the entrance fees of Thomas Bond, Wil- 
liam Pyewell, and John Robinson. 


1734, June 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Andrew Scott 
admitted. 
P.L. 


1734, June 24, Boston. 

Celebration of the Feast of Saint John the Baptist 
and election of Frederick Hamilton as Master of the 
Lodge. 

1 Mass. 4. 

The original manuscript of the address delivered upon 
this occasion is in the archives of the Grand Lodge of 
Massachusetts. It was printed in full in 8 M.F.M. 289. 

There have been those who believed that Benjamin 
Franklin was present at this meeting (1914 Mass. 256). 
It would seem, from the event recorded later under 
this date, that such was not the case. It is the fact, 
however, that before this time he had visited Boston 
and become acquainted with Pro. G.M. Henry Price 
who conferred with him about Masonic matters and 
laid the foundation for the petition which was sent 
Price later from Philadelphia. 

See pages 91 and 124. 
Philadelphia. 

The Pennsylvania Gazette for June 27, 1734, pub- 
lishes an account of a Grand Lodge meeting at the Tun 
Tavern, Philadelphia, this day at which Benjamin 
Franklin was elected Grand Master. Again distin- 
guished guests honored the entertainment by their pres- 


114 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


ence. The Gazette article was copied by the Saznt 
James Evening Post for September 3rd, and by Read’s 
Weekly Journal for September 7, 1734, both of London. 


1734, June 26, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Noe Tyler ad- 
mitted. 
P.L. 


1734, July 1, Philadelphia. 
L. B. charges the entrance fees of Williarn Plumsted 
and Septimus Robinson. 


1734, July 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Francis Beteilhe made. 
PG. 


1734, August 5, Philadelphia. 
L. B. charges the entrance fee of Joseph Breintnall. 


1734, August 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brothers Hugh Scott 
and John Young admitted. 
Bile 
B.MS. 
Barons Letter. 


CuaptTer VII 


THE FIRST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF 
NORTH AMERICA 


1734, August, Boston. 

Provincial Grand Master Henry Price’s authority was 
extended over all North America by the Earl of Craw- 
furd, Grand Master of England. 

1914 Mass. 256-273, et cit., 284. 
Loo eeADE Vossen: 
1734, November 28, infra. 
1734/5, February 21, énfra. 
1871 Mass. 284 ef seq. 
1883 Mass. 150 ef seq. 
1888 Mass. 107 ef seq. 
1891 Mass. 19 ef¢ seq. 

1899 Mass. 50 ef seq. 

1903 Mass. 44 e¢ seq. 

1906 Mass. 74 ef seq. 

1909 Mass. 105 ef seq. 

The citations here given refer to many authorities for 
the statement that Price’s jurisdiction was extended 
over all North America, as reviewed by Gardner, Nick- 
erson, myself and others. Much additional evidence 
keeps coming to light, among which are the following: 
An original letter has recently been found in the 
archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts from 
Thomas Durant, then Secretary of the Lodge of Ports- 
mouth, N. H., dated April 5, 1755, under the seal of 


the Lodge and directed to “Henry Price, Esq., Grand 
115 


116 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Master of the Lodges of Free and Accepted Masons in 
North America.” On the same files is an original sum- 
mons sent by John Leverett, then Secretary of the Sec- 
ond Lodge in Boston, dated September 18, 1754, in 
which he states that he has received orders to summon 
a Grand Lodge “from our R. W. Brother Mr. Henry 
Price, Provincial Grand Master of North America 
which reverts to him by the death of our R. W. Brother 
Thomas Oxnard, Esq., deceased.’ The original records 
of the Lodge at Portsmouth, now in its possession, con- 
tain confirmatory references when recording Price’s 
visits to that Lodge on February 12, 1756/7; March 
24, June 9, 1768; and October 26, 1769. 

In line with the methods of keeping, or rather not 
keeping records in those days, the Grand Lodge of Eng- 
land had apparently not recorded Price’s Commission 
as extended, with the result that his first successor 
(Tomlinson) had his deputation for New England 
only. Oxnard was commissioned in 1743 for the whole 
of North America, however, and when Oxnard died the 
Provincial Grand Lodge in Boston on October 11, 1754, 
voted that a petition be sent to the Grand Master of 
England for the appointment of his successor, also to 
be Grand Master of North America. That petition is 
recorded in full in the Massachusetts records. (1 Mass. 
35.) See page 330. Its last paragraph is as follows: 


“And Whereas Masonry Originated Here anno 5733, 
and in the year following Our then G. M. Price received 
orders from G. M. Craufurd to Establish Masonry in 
all North America in Pursuance of which the Several 
Lodges hereafter mentioned have received Constitutions 
from us. We therefore Crave due Precedency, & that 
in order thereunto Our GM Elect, may in his Deputa- 


FIRST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER 117 


tion be stiled GM of all North America, and your Peti- 
tioners as in duty Bound shall ever Pray.” 
See page 369. 


This petition set out also the dates of the constitu- 
tion of Lodges in other colonies subordinate to Price, 
including Pennsylvania, as follows: 

5734 Philadelphia. 
35 New Hampshire & South Carolina. 
38 Antigua and Annapolis in Nova Scotia. 
46 Newfoundland. 
49 Rhode Island. 
50 Hallifax in Nova Scotia. 
50 Annapolis in Maryland. 
53 New London in Connecticut. 
54 Middletown in Connecticut. 
52 New Haven in Connecticut. 

The petition was signed by the following Brethren 
as a Committee, viz.: 

Hugh McDaniel. 
Benjamin Hallowell. 
Charles Brockwell. 
James Forbes. 
Robert Jenkins. 
William Coffin. 
Henry Leddell. 

Is it conceivable that this petition did not truly rep- 
resent the facts? Henry Price was in the chair and not 
one word of suspicion has ever attached to him. Bro. 
Benjamin Franklin was present. (1 Mass. 34.) The 
Brethren at that meeting and those who formed the 
Committee which drafted the petition were well ac- 
quainted with the history of Masonry in those times. 


118 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Of those who signed it: 

McDaniel was made a Mason January 30, 1735 (1 
Mass. 398), and rose to D.G.M. in 1737 (1 Mass. 6). 
He was the accredited representative of Philadelphia 
to the Grand Lodge in Boston. (1 Mass. 20.) 

Hallowell was made a Mason January 23, 1735 
(1 Mass. 398), and rose to D. G. M. in 1753. (1 
Mass. 27.) 

Brockwell was a clergyman, made a Mason January 
28, 1746 (1 Mass. 400), and rose to S. G. W. in 1753. 
(1 Mass. 9, 10, 27, 388.) 

Forbes was made a Mason November 20, 1735 (1 
Mass. 398), and rose to D. G. M. in 1756. (1 Mass. 

Jenkins was made a Mason July 25, 1739 (1 Mass. 
399), and rose to D. G. M. in 1757. (1 Mass. 48.) 

1923 R.I. 64. 

Coffin was made a Mason August 8, 1744 (1 Mass. 
399), and rose to S. G. W. in 1758. (1 Mass. 53.) 

Leddell was made a Mason October 11, 1749 (1 Mass. 
400), and rose to M. of the First Lodge in 1752 (1 
Mass. 24), and of the Masters Lodge in 1755. (1 
Mass. 36.) 

They were all close associates of Henry Price and so 
constant in attendance upon Masonic functions that 
their names appear literally hundreds of times in the 
first volume of the printed Proceedings of the Grand 
Lodge of Massachusetts. Among those voting in favor 
of the resolution was apparently Benjamin Franklin 
himself. Of the others voting, Rowe was made a Ma- 
son July 23, 1740 (1 Mass. 399), and had been Mas- 
ter of the First Lodge in 1748 (1 Mass. 9); Leverett, 
passed F. C. October 11, 1749 (1 Mass. 400), having 


FIRST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER 119 


been made abroad, Junior Warden of the same in 1750 
(1 Mass. 11); Williams, made May 29, 1746 (1 Mass. 
400), Junior Warden of the Masters Lodge in 1750 
(1 Mass. 11); Byard, made May 11, 1748 (1 Mass. 
400), Senior Warden of the First Lodge in 1750 (1 
Mass. 10); Erving, Junior Warden of the same in 
1753 (1 Mass. 25); Pelham, made November 8, 1738 
(1 Mass. 399), Junior Warden of the Third Lodge in 
Boston in 1750 (1 Mass. 10); Tyler, made February 
11, 1749 (1 Mass. 401), Junior Warden of the First 
Lodge in Boston in 1752 (1 Mass. 19); Gridley, made 
January 22, 1745 (1 Mass. 400), was also present at 
the Grand Lodge, and while at this meeting was elected 
for nomination as Provincial Grand Master of North 
America. Ezekiel Price was Junior Warden of the 
Third Lodge in Boston in 1752 (1 Mass. 20); Stowe 
had been present at the Grand Lodge as early as 1753 
(1 Mass. 26), though I have not his official Masonic 
record; and Holbrook was Junior Warden of the Sec- 
ond Lodge in Boston in 1752 (1 Mass. 22). Many of 
them rose to exalted Masonic station. It cannot seri- 
ously be contended that these men did not know the 
facts about which they were talking. 

No court in the world would decline to believe the 
evidence of the men named, who had first-hand knowl- 
edge of events of which they were contemporaries and 
of which indeed they were a part. See further, 1734, 
November 28, zzfra. 


1734, August 19, Boston. 
Franklin’s Constitutions are advertised in the Weekly 
Rehearsal. 


P-t. 


120 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1734, August 15, Philadelphia—Lancaster—Boston— 
Carolina. 
The following entries are found in Franklin’s Jour- 
nals 


“Omitted 15s For postage 6 by Reynells to 
Lancaster 
For postage of Commission etc. 11s.4d.& 





2s.8d. 14 
For Constitutions sent to Boston 70, Caro- 
lina 25 1 ied Wi 6 
real IS:L AOE 


1734, August 31 
“For 3 Constitutions by John Cather- 
Wood, Lan County 
For | Do. to Morgan Sexton 
F.J. 


mn 
CO 


Another entry, apparently under August, 1734, is as 
follows: 





= 
ma =a." 
7 





CPs; 


tha a tae ve 


ad 
Mey nicks 
teplags LE 


“PPD I es sso 
hx ir cont fa ae 





FACSIMILE OF TWO PAGES 





OF FRANKLIN’S JOURNAL 





1734 121 


Brother Sachse says that this refers to Louis Timothee 
of Charleston, South Carolina, who was sent by Frank- 
lin to Charleston to take charge of the printing office 
established there in 1731 by Bro. Thomas Whitemarsh 
of St. John’s Lodge, who had been equipped with a 
printer’s outfit and sent out by Franklin. 

Our curiosity is greatly excited by these entries. We 
can demonstrate the presence in Boston of only about 
thirty Brethren. Why seventy books? Six more were 
sent “by Brother Peter’ (page 122) and within three 
months Franklin thought that more might be wanted 
(page 126). In the improbable event that every brother 
bought a copy, there must have been more Masons in 
Boston than we have suspected. 

And why were twenty-five or thirty-one books sent to 
Carolina? I cannot, on known facts, answer. Probably 
a Lodge “according to the Old Customs.” 


1734, September. 
Above the last two entries from Franklin’s Journal 
appears the following: 


“Lodge of Mason’s at Br. Hubards Dr. 


For tickets 5 

For tickets 4.3.4 

Sept. 1734 For a finely gilded constitution to the 
Proprietor 5 
For one Do. for the Lodge aie 


It is a puzzle which I have not been able to solve to 
account for the entries upon the page in question. The 
page starts out with a charge to Isaac Brown for a 
Mason Book on June 11, 1736, and continues with 
Brown’s account down to September of the following 
year. Thus the charges against the Lodge of Masons, 


122 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


which are apparently in 1734, follow entries two years 
later, while on the same page below the date supposed 
to be August 15, 1734, are items against one John Fruin 
dated 1731. 

On the opposite page of the Journal are found entries 
against the Lodge in 1736-7. Upon some date of which 
I am not certain but which is apparently about this time, 
there is an entry for 100 catechisms and 6 Mason books, 
“sent to Broth. James by Brother Peter.” This probably 
refers to books sent to Boston. 


1734, September 4, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Robert Kenton made 
and Brother John Lyle admitted. 
lz. 
B.MS. 
Barons Letter. 


1734, September, Montserrat. 

The American Weekly Mercury for December 24, 
1734, recites under date of ‘London, October 1,” that 
“the Earl of Craufurd, Grand Mafter of the Siciety | 
(séc) of Free-Mafons, hath fign’d an Inftrument for 
e{tablishing a Lodge of Mafons in the If{land of Mont- 
Leratsy 

P—t. 


1734, October 7, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1734, October 8, — Philadelphia. 
On this date Franklin charges Philip Syng for binding 
a Mason book 1.6. 
F.J. 


1734 123 


1734, October 9, Georgia. 
Lodge meeting at which Sir Patrick Houstoun was 
made. 
See page 143, znfra. 


1734, October 23, Boston. 

The Provincial Grand Lodge at Boston wrote a letter 
to Benjamin Franklin. Unfortunately we have no indi- 
cation whatever of its contents except that it referred to 
Price’s recovery from an illness. 


1914 Mass. 283. 


1734, November, Philadelphia. 
Franklin’s Journal contains the following entries: 


“Mr. Thomas Penn, Proprietor. 


For a book of Constitution 6.0 
James Bingham for Binding a Mason book 1.6 
Mr. Newingham for binding a Mason book gilt 4.0 
Edward Evans for a Mason book 0% 


FJ. 


1734, November 7, Philadelphia. 
L. B. charges the entrance fees of Josiah Rolfe and 
Philip Syng. 


1734, November 13, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Richard Patteshall and 
Samuel Curwen made. 
ined Le 
B.MS. 
Barons Letter. 


Cuapter VIII 


FRANKLIN’S APPOINTMENT AS PROVINCIAL 
GRAND MASTER FOR THE PROVINCE OF 
PENNSYLVANIA 


1734, November 28, Philadelphia. 

On this day Benjamin Franklin as the head of what 
he calls the ‘““Grand Lodge” for the Province of Pennsy]l- 
vania, wrote two letters to Price—one official and one 
personal. They read as follows: 


Right Worshipful Grand Master and Most Worthy and 
Dear Brethren: 

We acknowledge your favor of the 23d of October 
past, and rejoice that the Grand Master (whom God 
bless) hath so happily recovered from his late indisposi- 
tion: and we now, glass in hand, drink to the establish- 
ment of -his health, and the prosperity of your whole 
Lodge. 

We have seen in the Boston prints an article of news 
from London, importing that at a Grand Lodge held 


there in August last, Mr. Price’s deputation and power 
was extended over all America, which advice we hope 
is true, and we heartily congratulate him thereupon 
and though this has not been as yet regularly signified 
to us by you, yet, giving credit thereto, we think it 
our duty to lay before your Lodge what we apprehend 
needful to be done for us, in order to promote and 
strengthen the interest of Masonry in this Province 
(which seems to want the sanction of some authority de- 
rived from home, to give the proceedings and determina- 
124 


FRANKLIN’S APPOINTMENT 125 


tions of our Lodge their due weight) to wit, a Deputa- 
tion or Charter granted by the Right Worshipful Mr. 
Price, by virtue of his Commission from Britain, confirm- 
ing the Brethren of Pennsylvania in the privileges they 
at present enjoy of holding annually their Grand Lodge, 
choosing their Grand Master, Wardens and other officers, 
who may manage all affairs relating to the Brethren here 
with full power and authority, according to the customs 
and usages of Masons, the said Grand Master of Pennsyl- 
vania only yielding his chair, when the Grand Master of 
all America shall be in place. This, if it seems good and 
reasonable to you to grant, will not only be extremely 
agreeable to us, but will also, we are confident, conduce 
much to the welfare, establishment, and reputation of 
Masonry in these parts. We therefore submit it for 
your consideration, and, as we hope our request will be 
complied with, we desire that it may be done as soon as 
possible, and also accompanied with a copy of the R. W. 
Grand Master’s first Deputation, and of the instrument 
by which it appears to be enlarged as above-mentioned, 
witnessed by your Wardens, and signed by the Secre- 
tary; for which favours this Lodge doubt not of being 
able to behave as not to be thought ungrateful. 

We are, Right Worshipful Grand Master and Most 
Worthy Brethren, 

Your Affectionate Brethren and obliged humble Servts, 
Signed at the request of the Lodge, 

B. FRaNKuIN, G. M. 

Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1734. 


Dear Brotuer Price:—I am glad to hear of your 
recovery. I hoped to have seen you here this Fall, agree- 
able to the expectation you were so good as to give me; 
but since sickness has prevented your coming while the 
weather was moderate, I have no room to flatter myself 
with a visit from you before the Spring, when a deputa- 
tion of the Brethren here will have an opportunity of 
showing how much they esteem you. I beg leave to 


126 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


recommend their request to you, and to inform you, that 
some false and rebel Brethren, who are foreigners, being 
about to set up a distinct Lodge in opposition to the old 
and true Brethren here, pretending to make Masons for 
a bowl of punch, and the Craft is like to come into dis- 
esteem among us unless the true Brethren are counte- 
nanced and distinguished by some special authority as 
herein desired. I entreat, therefore, that whatever you 
shall think proper to do therein may be sent by the next 
post, if possible, or the next following. 

I am, Your Affectionate Brother & humb Servt 

B. FRANKLIN, G. M. 
Pennsylvania. 

Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1734. 

P.S.—If more of the Constitutions are wanted among 
you, please hint it to me. 

(Address upon said letters:) 

“To Mr. Henry Price 
‘At the Brazen Head 
‘“‘Boston, 


“N.E.” 


These original letters were destroyed at the burning of 
the Masonic Temple in Boston on April 5/6, 1864, prior 
to which time the official letter hung in a frame in the 
Temple observed by all men. As to their authenticity 
see statements and affidavits in 1871 Mass. 306, 356- 
361. They were, for instance, exhibited to the Com- 
mittee of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania on March 
22, 1855, as related in 14 M.F.M. 188; see also 1888 
Mass. 118. 

In the official letter, Franklin, acting as he himself 
Says at the request of his Lodge, acknowledges its want 
of lawful authority and prays that Price by virtue of his 
Commission from Britain, which had been extended over 
the whole of North America, would confirm the Brethren 


| 
: 


BENJAMIN FRANKLIN 
Reproduced from an original sent by Franklin from 
Paris to his niece and inscribed on the back, in hisown 
handwriting, ‘‘For Mrs. Dorcas Stickney in Newbury” 








FRANKLIN’S APPOINTMENT 127 


of Pennsylvania in privileges which they then enjoyed 
of holding their Lodge although without “the sanction 
of some authority derived from home.” He further ad- 
mits that the Grand Master of Pennsylvania would there- 
after yield his chair whenever the Grand Master of North 
America, to wit, Henry Price, should be present. This 
letter is a flat and explicit admission made officially that 
the Brethren of Pennsylvania had no authority, and 
that they were irregular without it; and they prayed for 
the grant thereof. 

Benjamin Franklin when he signed the letter of No- 
vember 28, 1734, as Grand Master and “at the request 
of the Lodge,” knew what he was writing ex cathedra. 
It is also submitted that the Brethren who officially re- 
quested their Grand Master to send the petition to Price, 
knew more about the facts of that day and generation 
than some partisan historians one hundred and fifty years 
later who have struggled to convince the Masonic world 
that Franklin, Price, and their associates were all wrong 
as to these facts. 

Should all other evidence and argument be disre- 
garded, these letters are definite and final. They estab- 
lish that Pennsylvania Masonry was wanting in author- 
ity, 1.e., was not duly constituted; that Henry Price was 
the “Founder of Duly Constituted Masonry in America.” 

1914 Mass. 257, et cit., 283. 
1871 Mass. 356-359. 

The Deputation or Warrant granted Franklin and the 
Brethren of Pennsylvania has disappeared as have all of 
Franklin’s American Masonic documents. (There are no 
Pennsylvania Grand Lodge records prior to July 29, 
1779, and no Lodge minute book for that jurisdiction 
earlier than that beginning June 28, 1749, ¢.v.) 


128 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Franklin’s letter states as his source of information 
that Price’s authority had been extended over all North 
America; ‘We have seen in the Boston prints an article 
of news from London, importing that at a Grand Lodge 
held there in August last, Mr. Price’s deputation and 
power was extended over all America.” Because of the 
delays in transportation of the mails in those days, this 
means that the article which Brother Franklin saw must 
have been published some time between the first of Sep- 
tember and the middle of November, 1734. At that time 
there were five Boston newspapers. ‘The oldest was The 
Boston News Letter. Complete files of that paper for 
the period in question have been examined and no such 
article is found therein. 

The Boston Gazette was at that period frequently pub- 
lishing Masonic items. Only three copies of the Boston 
Gazette after August 19, and before December, 1734, 
are known to exist. September 16th is in the library of 
the Massachusetts Historical Society; October 21st and 
November 25th are in the library of the Bostonian So- 
ciety. They have been examined and no such item has — 
been found. The paper was issued, however, on August 
26th, September 2nd, 9th, 23rd; October 7th, 14th and 
28th, and November 4th, 11th and 18th, but no copies 
of these issues are now known to exist. Probably the 
item Franklin saw was in one of these issues. He fre- 
quently quoted from the Gaze¢fe and the missing copies 
are those which would have come to him immediately 
preceding the writing of these letters. 

The Boston Post Boy began with the issue of October 
7, 1734. No copies of this paper, however, are known 
to exist prior to April 21, 1735. 

A copy of each issue of the New England Weekly 


FRANKLIN’S APPOINTMENT 129 


Journal for the period has been searched but no such arti- 
cle has been found. This statement applies also to the 
Weekly Rehearsal, except that no copy of this for Sep- 
tember 16, 1734, is known. 

We may safely assume that Franklin told the truth 
and therefore must possess our souls in patience until, if 
ever, the print to which he referred is found. ‘There is 
much other evidence than Franklin’s letter or the miss- 
ing print that Price’s commission was extended as stated, 
all of which has been quoted or referred to in citations. 
The reporter who wrote the newspaper article, however, 
was in error in thinking that the commission was ex- 
tended at a meeting of the Grand Lodge, for in those 
days the Grand Lodge neither issued nor endorsed Pro- 
vincial Grand Masters’ commissions. ‘That was a pre- 
rogative of the Grand Master. We, in this day and 
generation, can well understand from familiarity with 
our newspapers how a reporter can get the essential fact 
as a basis of his article and yet mistake many of the de- 
tails. He would not have written the report unless he 
had information of the fact that the Commission had 
been extended. Unless he were a well informed member 
of the Craft, however, he would easily fall into the error 
of stating that the act was of the Grand Lodge instead of 
the Grand Master. 

On this subject, see the important recent discovery 


cited under 1734/5, February 21, znfra. 


1734, December 2, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1734, December 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Anthony Davis made, 


130 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Brothers Robert Gardiner, and William Grice admitted. 
Bae 
B.MS. 


Barons Letter. 


Montserrat—Philadelphia. 
The American Weekly Mercury of Philadelphia pub- 
lishes the item quoted under 1734, September, supra. 


1734, December 27, Boston. 
Celebration of the Festival of Saint John the Evan- 
gelist. 
1 Mass. 4. 


1734/5, February 21, Boston-Philadelphia. 

Meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge in Boston. 

Appointment of Benjamin Franklin as Provincial 
Grand Master for Pennsylvania by “HENRY PRICE 
GRAND MASTER OF HIS MAJESTY’S DOMINIONS IN NORTH 
AMERICA.” 

In 1916 the author discovered an item of news, dated 
Boston, February 24, 1734/5, published by the American 
Weekly Mercury (Philadelphia), No. 795, “March 20 
to 2717352" asiollows: 


“Boston, Feb. 24. 

“On Friday laft was held a Grand Lodge of that An- 
cient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted 
Mafons, at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern in King Street, 
where Mr. Henry Price, Grand Maifter of His Majefty’s 
Dominions in North America, Nominated and Appointed 
his Grand Officers for the Year enfuing, viz: Andrew 
Belcher, Eifg., Deputy Grand Mafter; Mr. James Gordon 












», Sufferers by Haft Wednefday’s Srorm, we 








S. Ev and Soutk, which fill con: Indes, 


"1 Adven ur 
| was athore ar Gilkicker, Is Overier, and luppof. 





jot her to be {cen. The Princels of Orange, 
Warden, Capt. Wigram, and 


the lar vy Capt. 


{ed to be broke in picces, there being nothing 





ther very hard Gale of Wind lift Night 


and : -has a ne great Damage. ‘The ‘Priends ee 
Caps Manby, for Maryland, thar | 


ae 


Ae 


© 


Lithered, are allo broke to i 


- p eces. The Coddnngton, Capt. Borafton, for 


? | Antigua, lott all her Mafts, bur rode our the 
|_| Storm at Spithead, and came Yeilerday inte 
tierHarbour, as did the Wisbech, Capt. Nor. 
ris, having rode the Storm, but loft her Pore. 
malt and Bowiprit. Came in the Princcts of 
__,| Attunas, Holman, in Ballaft from Cadiz; the 
2 Of) Amelia, Spilman, trom London for Malaga. 


_ i Capt. Dent, the 
| 






















land, the had been athere on the Horfe; the 
Richard ard Anne, Carter, from Hirwich for 
, | adi2z; the Sarah, Chapman, from London, 
{bors for the Piar, the three Sifters, Grindal, 
dito for Maryland. Such quick repeated vio. 
[iene Storms and Lolles as this | 
* {duced, far execeds any in the Memory ot Man. 
| Tre Swallow Brig. Leonard B.zer, 
|bourd from Petersburgh to Brittol, who was 


jon W_dneiday lait, got off on Thurfday, and 





| Higginion, for Jamaica 

{to Leghorn, andthe Bruaonia, Kelicy, for Ce 
a : 

i 5° they had recew'd in the late Storm at che 
i 


carricd away her Mizen Matt, 
(| We fhall prefent in omr next.) 


_ . .., POSTON, Feb. 24. 
5, bLaft Week, at the Court of 
| feral Goal Delivery held here for the County 
ol Safelite, Two Negro Fellows were itied, one 


| Houte of Capr. Greenwood, and ftealing 
| Bills of Credit, and the other for telontoufly 
t | fetung Fite to his Mafter’s Hay, by which his 
| __ | Barn, Dwelling Houfe, Shop, and other Buu- 
jwith {dings were dettroyed, near Barton's Point in 
| Boi- Months fince; but for want 
| 

i 


bs 
: oe 
oe 


ithe Town, fome 
, of legal Evidence they were both acquitted, tho’ 


| Facts. . 
|_ Yefterday arrived here Canc. Smith from the 
1) Bay of Honduras, who came out in Company 
}wrh Capt. Derfey and others; he lays they 
|lefe 9 Sal in the Bay, one of which was Capt. 
| Hay of this Town, and thar two others went 
jin as they came out. Tis {aid Provifions are 
Avery fcarce and dear in the Bay. | 
7On Friday lat was held a Grand Lodge of 


FACSIMILE OF TWO COLUMNS OF American Weekly 


Mercury FOR MARCH 20-27, 1735 


ithe Succels, Snelling from dito tor New-Eng.. 


Winter has pro. ! 


‘The Auguttus Cefar, Capt. Hampron, bound | 


;¢ 4%, are put into Sheernels, to repair the Dame | 


(|obeped them to cur away her Main Mait, and 
£ 


Afize and ge- 


Sig shnentce sr 


AS Semen toasie amines mg 


Matter, | 
iforced on Shore at Portimouth in ¢ be Storm © 


fwentinto the Harbour ro rohit, as-did the Anne, 


Nore; the tormer’s Sheet Anchor broke, which | 





| LN. B. Tbe farther Particulars of this Storm 


for Burglary and Felony, in breaking into the © 
fundry — 


us thought by all they were guilty of che - 


that 


_. thar Ancient and Honourable Soct 
and Accepied Mafins, at the Bunch c 
 ‘Lavern in King Street, where Mr. He 
Grand Matter of His Majclty’s Domi 
North America, Nominated and Appointe 


Mr, James Gordon and M. Frederick Hamilton 
ae ‘Wardens for this Province; And M 


the Province of Henn{ylvanza.. 


* journment on Tuciday the 14'h Inftanr, but 7 


_* fome Plantations the Buggs come into it and | 
* deitroy 1, fo thar Rice ttdl will keep up us | 


Bay of Honduras, and that the other Veflels 































Grand Officers tor the Year enfuing, viz. 
Andrew Belchar Eig, Deputy GrandMs 


Benjamin Franklin Provincial Grand Matter for | i 

Extrall of a Letter from Charicltown, m Souch- | 
Carolina, dated January 18. 1734. of 

‘ Our Afflembly met here according to Ad- | 





‘tthe Governor not being fuily Recovercd | Pea 
* of his Llincfs, no Bulinets is done yet. Ourj 
* Planters here tind themiclyes very oiflaken} 
‘in thew Ettimation of the laft Crop of Rice, |. 
* fince tome of them, who after having their | 
* Rice in the Birn, thought to have 300 Bir- | 
* rls, found when beaten out but too. In] 


* Price. | 

We hear from Rb. land, That the beginning | _- 
of left Weck Capt. Durfey and another Veflei | Fa 
boionging to that Place, arrived there from the 


which came out with him were daily expett- 
ed, *Tis faid Capr. Darfey brought the Spans 
Sloop which he took in the Bay as far as the | 
Mouth of the Gulf, and then crvilly dilmniis’d | Feb 
her; but the Spamard was fo uncivil as to fol- [— 


low the Fleet for a confiderable Time, in hopes | 


no doubt of taking fome of them, ull Capt. |—1 
Darfey fired at him and obliged hum to leave off | —E 
ibe Ghaic | 
March 3. Lat Week arrived Capt. Cary from | 
Cadiz, who left London the latter end of No-| 
vember. and that Place the begining of January |. 
with Advice, That by Letters from London | 
in the begining ot December a Peace was like. | 
ly to be accommodated. The following isa | Ne 
Paragraph of a Letter toa Gentleman in this| 
Town, Dated Cadiz, Dec. zorh 1934. “Tawi § 
“a Letter this Day from Alicant, giving an | Slo 
“ Account that Capt. Eilss Beanere in the Six Oh 
Brothers, and ¢ or 6 fail more of Englith | Fa 
" Ships were Cait away in that Bay, but all | 
“the Men faved. | - | 
_ We hear Mr. Alderman Vining ot Portfmowth, | 
(Brother to Benjamin Viniw, ‘Eig, Cole€tor of |R 
Salem ) bas thc Honour of Knightwood confer- | E 








bas 
#3 


red on him. 

We are told, a certain Perfon in this Town 
has beat his Apprentice fo unmercitully chat 
bis Life is difpared of, which may ferve asa 
Caution to prevent the like abotiumable inhu- 
mane Cruelty. - : 

On Tuciday laft ‘his Excellency our ¢ 
vernor, with the Advice of his Majelty’s Cou 
cil, ifiued a Proclamation, appointing Ther{d. 


FRANKLIN’S APPOINTMENT 131 


and Mr. Frederick Hamilton, Grand Wardens for this 
Province; and Mr. Benjamin Franklin, Provincial Grand 
Matter for the Province of Pennfylvania.”’ 

P-t. 


A reproduction of the last column of page 2 and the 
first column of page 3 of this number of the American 
Weekly Mercury is herewith presented. 

We are now, for the first time, in possession of the 
date of Franklin’s appointment, for which he had peti- 
tioned less than three months before. 

1734, November 28, supra. 

And we have also from Pennsylvania’s own press un- 
equivocal evidence of the extension of Price’s authority 
over all North America, and Pennsylvania’s recognition 
thereof. 

See also 1734, August, supra. 

Vain search for a reference to this item has been made 
in the Printed Proceedings or in the elaborate official and 
quasi-official publications of the Grand Lodge of Penn- 
sylvania, including the works of Brother Julius F. 
Sachse, its librarian and historical spokesman for many 
years. Frequent and extensive use is made therein of 
quotations from newspapers both before and after the 
date of this one. This most important and vital bit of 
history having escaped notice in these works, it 1s evident 
that no weight can be given to conclusions which this 
item negatives. No argument is worth consideration 
unless based upon the truth and the whole truth. 

As Brother Sachse omitted to publish this fact, one 
can hardly help wondering if there does not still remain 
in the great libraries of Pennsylvania other information 
which remains unpublished. 


132 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


The life of Franklin is so well known that a sketch is 
omitted. 
See ‘Benj. Franklin as a Freemason,” by 
Sachse. 


1734/5, March 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge which amended the 8th 
Article of its By-Laws by providing: 


“That no Person Shall be a Member of this Lodge, 
that has not on a Lodge Night, been publickly balloted 
in accord® to Our Constitutions, and Consents to our by- 
Laws, and pays the Lodge for his Making, unlefs by a 
Dispensation from the Master & Wardens of the Lodge.” 

B.MS. 15. 


CHAPTER IX 
bias 


1735, March 26, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge at which the following 
vote was passed: 


“That any Member of this Lodge that goes abroad, or 
beyond Seas, Shall Still continue a Member & be entitled 
to all the priviledges of the Lodge, if he Constantly at- 
tends when here in Boston and pay his quarteridge or 
Clubb as the other Members doe 

That no Member fhall offer to pafs his Word for a 
Brother for his Quarteridge, or Clubb, but Shall pay 


Money down.” 
B.MS. 15. 


1735, March 28, Philadelphia. 
The American Weekly Mercury of Philadelphia, pub- 
lishes the item quoted under 


1734/5, February 21, supra. 


1735, April 17, London—South America. 

In the Grand Lodge of England a motion was agreed 
to for Randolph Took, Esq’ to be Provincial Grand Mas- 
ter for South America. 

X Q.C.A. 254. 
This vote was inadvertent or the scrivener was in error 


for since the institution of the office of Provincial Grand 
133 


134 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Master (1727) the appointment thereto has always been 
a prerogative of the Grand Master. 
Preston (Portsmouth, 1804) 306. 
1914 Mass. 255. 
The Deputation was issued by Lord Weymouth. 
Anderson (1738 Ed.) 195. 


1735, After April 17, Charles Town, South Carolina. 

The first Lodge at “Charles Town,” South Carolina, 
appears for the first time upon the Official English Lists 
in that for 1760, as No. 251. Later it took the place 
vacated by Bristol Lodge as No. 74. The Lists accredit 
the Lodge to 1735, and it was Warranted under Lord 
Weymouth, installed G. M. April 17, 1735. 

P.C. (3rd Eng. Ed. 1764) 382. 

Hammerton’s deputation as Pro. G. M. for South 
Carolina did not issue until after April 15, 1736 (q.v.), 
and he appears as the Master of the Lodge when it met 
“for the first time” on October 28, 1736, (g.v.). There 
accordingly is some ground for the arguments, which 
have been heard, that this Lodge was constituted by 
Hammerton under his commission and not by Lord Wey- 
mouth, direct, or that authority for the 1735 Lodge came 
from Boston. 

See 1735, Dec. 27, énfra. 

See also a discriminating and careful study of 
the situation in the first chapter of Mackey’s 
History of Freemasonry in South Carolina. 

The date of the Constitution of this Lodge is given in 
the 6th Edition of Jachin and Boaz (London 1765) as 
November 12, 1735. No reliance can be placed upon 
that month and day, however. Bristol Lodge, Glouces- 
tershire, Constituted November 12, 1735, was No. 74 in 


1735 135 


the 1755 listing. It was erased in 1757, but the date 
of Constitution was retained in the lists against the num- 
ber, although no Lodge was given. This is the case in 
the Official List for 1761 (original in archives of Grand 
Lodge of Massachusetts), where ‘‘SSolomon’s Lodge in 
Charles Town, South Carolina,” meeting the Ist and 3rd 
Thursdays, is given as No. 251, with 1735 as the date 
of Constitution. It is inserted between Lodges Consti- 
tuted in 1756 and 1759, thus indicating about when the 
information officially reached the Grand Officers. Later 
Solomon’s Lodge was put in No. 74, vacated by Bristol 
Lodge. This brought it with the 1735 Lodges, where 
it should be, but the date of the Constitution of Bristol 
Lodge was left. Thus the date (other than the year) 
clearly does not belong to the South Carolina Lodge. 
Furthermore, its placement ahead of the Lodge at Sa- 
vannah does not indicate priority of Constitution, but 
merely the convenience of the engraver.’ 


1735, May 13. 
Franklin charges F. Hopkinson for binding a Mason 
book 1.6. 
| A 


1735, June 2, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


i7oy.une | 2. Philadelphia. 
The Pennsylvania Gazette publishes the following, re- 
ferring to the English Grand Lodge meeting of March 31, 


1 Bro. W. J. Songhurst, the learned secretary of Quatuor Coronati 
Lodge, says, “Early printed lists were mostly unofficial. So also were 
some of the engraved lists. And even with the official lists the en- 
gravers frequently rubbed out the particulars of a Lodge and engraved 
particulars of a new one under the old date.” 


136 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 
1735 (X Q.C.A. 247), among items of London news, 


V1Z.. 


“On Monday Night was held a Quarterly Communica- 
tion of the most Ancient and Honourable Society of Free 
and Accepted Masons, at the Devil Tavern, Temple Bar; 
most of the Grand Officers and upwards of Three Hun- 
dreds Masters and Wardens of Lodges, properly cloathed 
were present; particularly the Right Hon. the Earl of 
Crawford, Grand Master; Sir Cecil Wray, Bart. Deputy 
Grand Master; Sir Edward Mancell, Bart. and John 
Ward, Esq.; Grand Wardens. His Grace, the Duke of 
Richmond, his Grace the Duke of Buccleugh, the Right 
Hon. the Lord Balcarras, Dr. Desaguliers, and several 
other Persons of the first quality and Distinction. A 
handsome Sum was disposed of towards the Relief of 
several poor Brethren. ‘They unanimously chose the 
Right Hon. the Lord Viscount Weymouth, Grand Mas- 
ter, for the Year ensuing; Sir Cecil Wray, Bart. and Sir 
Edward Mancell, Bart., Grand Wardens; After which a 
most elegant Oration in Praise of Masonry, was pro- 
nounced by Bowman, Esq. which received the 
universal Approbation of that Antient and Honourable 
Fraternity.” 


1735, June 24, Boston. 
Celebration of the Festival of Saint John the Baptist. 
About this time the First Lodge moved from Edward 
Lutwyche’s Bunch of Grapes Tavern to Luke Vardy’s 
Royal Exchange Tavern. 
I Mass. 4. 





Philadelphia. 

The Pennsylvania Gazette for July 3, 1735, gives an 
account of a Grand Lodge held at the Indian King 
Tavern, Philadelphia, on this day at which James Ham- 
ilton was chosen Grand Master as Franklin’s successor. 


1735 137 


James Hamilton. 

James Hamilton, son of Andrew Hamilton, Provincial 
Councillor and champion of the liberty of the press, was 
born at Bushhill in Philadelphia about 1710. He was 
Senior Grand Warden in 1734 and Grand Master in 
1735, during which years he lived in Lancaster. He was 
elected to various offices in the Province: was Mayor of 
the City of Philadelphia in 1745; qualified in the Pro- 
vincial Council January 17, 1745/6, after which he went 
to England and in 1748 returned with a commission as 
Lieutenant Governor, the first native to be appointed to 
that office. He died in New York, August 14, 1783, 
aged 73. 

POW Ibe ss 


1735, June 30, Boston. 
The Weekly Rehearsal contains the following item: 


“London, April 18. Yefterday about two o’Clock in 
the Afternoon, the Proceffion of the Antient and Hon- 
ourable Society of Free and Accepted Mafons paffed 
from Grofvenor fquare to Mercers-Hall, where a grand 
Dinner was provided for them. The Proceffion began 
in the following Manner, viz. one Kettle-Drum; four 
Trumpets, two and two, two French Horns; with two 
Hautboys; and two Baffoons, all on white Horfes, with 
Leather Aprons and white Gloves. 

“After thefe, fix Coaches, with the twelve Stewards 
with their white Wands, follow’d by an infinite Number 
of Gentlemen’s Coaches, the Officers of each Lodge being 
diftinguifhed by the proper Badges of their Office 
pendent to red Ribbons, or Squares, Levels, Plumets, &c. 
fome Silver, others Gold, the Grand Mafter and Grand 
Wardens clofing the Proceffion.” 


Pt. 


138 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1735, July 14, Boston. 

The Boston Post Boy copies from the Pennsylvania 
Gazette its account of the Grand Lodge meeting in Phila- 
delphia, June 24, 1735, g.v. 

ate 


1735, October 2, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1735, October 9, Philadelphia. 
The Pennsylvania Gazette has a notice of a meeting of 
the Grand Lodge of Ireland. 


1735, After October 30, Savannah, Georgia. 

Webb’s Monitor in its third edition holds the follow- 
ing statement: “The Grand Lodge of Georgia is holden 
by virtue and in pursuance of the right of succession 
legally derived from the most noble and most worship- 
ful Thomas Thynne, Lord Viscount Weymouth, Grand 
Master of England, A.D. 1730, by his warrant directed 
to the right worshipful Roger Lacey,” etc. 

See 1730, Georgia, page 61, supra. 

The statement, of course, was entirely in error and 
Webb made a correction in subsequent editions. Wey- 
mouth was not Grand Master in 1730 and the warrant 
issued by him to Mr. Roger Lacey, merchant, for con- 
stituting a Lodge at Savannah, Georgia, was issued some 
time during that part of 1735 when Weymouth was 
Grand Master; viz.—after April 17. 

Anderson (1738 Ed.) 195. 
P.C, (2nd Eng. Ed. 1759) 380. 
Entick 336. 
Roger Lacey was one of the Stewards at the Grand 





JAMES HAMILTON 





1735 139 
Lodge held in London, March 17, 1730/1. No one 


knows just when he went to Georgia. Some years after 
the founding of Savannah he was the agent to the 
Cherokee Tribe of Indians, and founder of the trading 
post where Augusta now stands. 

As fixing the date with a trifle more accuracy, I find 
that in the Official English List for 1737 ‘Savannah in 
ye Province of Georgia” is given as No. 139. No. 138 
is reported as Constituted October 30, 1735. No. 140 
was Constituted March 1, 1735/6. It is evident, there- 
fore, that the date of the Constitution of this Lodge is 
probably after October 30, 1735, and certainly before 
March 1, 1735/6. 

The Lodge at Savannah first appears on the Official 
List for 1736 as No. 139 and is the second Lodge in 
America enrolled on the Official English Lists; although 
in the later English Lists the Lodge at Charleston, South 
Carolina, took one number’s precedence over the Lodge 
at Savannah, Georgia. That this does not, in this case, 
indicate earlier Constitution, see ‘1735, after April 17,” 
supra. For further evidence that 1735 is the correct date, 
see also 

Preston (Portsmouth, 1804) 185. 
PeVER/ 0: 
IsHBe3l. 

The Grand Lodge of Georgia, in the preamble to its 
Constitutions adopted about 1856, made the following 
remarkable statement: “The Grand Lodge of Free and 
Accepted Masons of the State of Georgia, existing by 
virtue of a Warrant issued by Thomas Thynne, Lord 
Weymouth, Grand Master of England, dated A.D. 1733, 
and renewed by Sholto Charles Douglas, Lord Aberdour, 
Grand Master of England, A.D. 1755,” etc. 


140 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


R. W. Charles W. Moore in July, 1856, pointed out 
that this preamble was incorrect in the following par-— 
ticulars: “1. The Grand Lodge of Georgia does not exist 
by virtue of a Warrant from Lord Weymouth. 2. Lord 
Weymouth was not Grand Master of England in 1733. 
3. Lord Aberdour was not Grand Master of England in 
1755. 4. The Grand Lodge of Georgia had no exist- 
ence in 1733.” 

He proceeded conclusively to prove these negations 
and pointed out that the Warrant which was issued by 
Lord Weymouth in 1735 was for a particular Lodge, not 
a Provincial Grand Lodge, in Georgia. 

15 M.F.M. 263, 353-362. 

The first appointment of any Provincial Grand Master 
for the Province of Georgia was made by Lord Aberdour 
sometime between May 18, 1757, and May 3, 1762. 

Preston (Portsmouth, 1804) 202. 

The Grand Lodge of Georgia has amended its pream- 
ble so that the corresponding part of it now reads as 
follows: ‘““The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Ma- 
sons, according to the Old Institution, of the State of 
Georgia, existing since 1733, and by virtue of, and in 
pursuance of the right and succession legally derived from 
the Most Noble, and Right Worshipful Thomas Thynne, 
Lord Viscount Weymouth, Grand Master of England, 
for the year of Masonry Five Thousand Seven Hundred 
and Thirty-Five, by his warrant directed to the Right 
Worshipful Roger Lacey, and by the renewal of the said 
power by Sholto Charles Douglass, Lord Aberdour, 
Grand Master of Scotland, and for the year Five Thou- 
sand Seven Hundred and Fifty-Five and Five Thousand 
Seven Hundred and Fifty-Six, the Grand Master of 
England for the years Five Thousand Seven Hundred 


1735 141 


and Fifty-Eight, by his warrant directed to the Right 
Worshipful Gray Eliot,” etc. 

It is not clear how an existence in 1733 can be “by 
virtue of, and in pursuance of”’ the act of a Grand Mas- 
ter in 1735. The author must confess that he does not 
understand quite what this means, although Brother 
Rockwell’s arguments have been carefully considered. 

15 M.F.M. 353-359. 

The only known document upon which such state- 
ments can be predicated is the second charter of Solo- 
mon’s Lodge, issued in 1786. That charter was the first 
granted by the Grand Lodge of Georgia upon its organ- 
ization. Its preamble states that Roger Lacey obtained 
his warrant in 1735, and that Gray Elliott was ap- 
pointed Provincial Grand Master in 1756. The Sa- 
vannah Gazette for December 19, 1786, gives an account 
of a meeting of the Grand Lodge held on December 16, 
1786, and states that Major General Samuel Elbert 
resigned as the third Provincial Grand Master of Georgia, 
and was succeeded by the election of William Stevens 
as Grand Master. 

Brother Sidney Hayden in his “Washington and his 
Masonic Compeers” (page 342) speaks of ‘“‘King Solo- 
mon’s Lodge at Savannah which had commenced its work 
under an old oak tree in 1733 when the first settlement 
of Georgia began.” 

Brother Hayden gives us no suggestion of his author- 
ity, if he had any, for this remark made one hundred 
and thirty-three years after the event. 

In February, 1733, Oglethorpe arrived at Port Royal 
with a charter, “in trust for the poor,’ dated June 9, 
1732, to establish a colony south of the Savannah River 
to be called Georgia. He proceeded to the Savannah 


142 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


River and began to fortify his new settlement to protect 
the immigrants from the Indians, who then inhabited the 
locality, and the Spanish, who claimed to own it. The 
record tells us that for “almost a year, the Governor 
dwelt under a tent.”” It doesn’t seem likely that either 
a Lodge or Grand Lodge was organized under such cir- 
cumstances. 

W. Brother William B. Clarke of Solomon’s Lodge, 
No. 1, of Savannah, Georgia, has recently made a search- 
ing investigation and has collated much material which 
he has put fully at our disposal. 

Benjamin Sheftall came to Georgia in the early days 
of the Colony. His granddaughter in 1859 gave Solo- 
mon’s Lodge a gavel made from a piece of the oak tree 
under which her uncle, Sheftall Sheftall, often told her 
that his father (Mordecai, son of Benjamin) told him 
that Oglethorpe had opened a Masonic Lodge in 1733. 
The tree was located a few miles from Savannah, at 
what is now known as Sunbury. Benjamin was Master 
of Solomon’s Lodge in 1758, and Mordecai and Sheftall 
Sheftall both were members in later years. 

The minutes of Solomon’s Lodge for December 21, 
1858, record the tradition that a Lodge, later known as 
Solomon’s Lodge, was opened by Oglethorpe, February 
10, 1733. This would mean February 10, 1733/4. 

Remarkable confirmation of this tradition has just 
been discovered by Brother Clarke in what is evidently 
the original record book of this Lodge for a part of the 
years 1756 and 1757. One page thereof, herewith re- 
produced, contains a list of members in 1757, to wit:— 
EP SOS Gia OSV a ee 

This list seems to prove a renewal of activity in 1756 
and would suggest dormancy for the twenty preceding 














3 Ne 
ae Mt fade, pay Fe. : 


te 
ta 





Sati tee, Secreta 





ge. @: 
: - + of... HG 22:37 
_ ee Fan: 





FACSIMILE OF 1757 ROSTER OF SOLOMON’S 
LODGE, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 





1735 143 


years. It warrants us in concluding, however, that N. 
Jones, Daniel Nunes, and Moses Hunes were made Ma- 
sons in Georgia in 1733/4 (¢.e. in 1734, prior to March 
25); also that Sir Patrick Houstoun was made in 
Georgia, October 9, 1734, and raised sometime in 1735. 
Add to all this the action of the Grand Lodge of Eng- 
land, December 13, 1733, and March 18, 1733/4 (¢.v.), 
and proof of Freemasonry in Georgia in 1733/4 is con- 
vincing. 

Solomon’s Lodge asserts that it now owns a Bible pre- 
sented to the Lodge by Oglethorpe. It certainly has an 
old Bible and an affidavit that prior to 1881 it con- 
tained a “fly-leaf upon which was written in the hand of 
General Oglethorpe the date of presentation as 1733, 
and signed with his name’; also that ‘“‘the fly-leaf was 
stolen while the book was being exhibited at Atlanta in 
1881.” 

Noble Jones, whose name is first on the list, was Mas- 
ter during the period covered by these records, and, part 
of the time, was Colonel commanding the British troops 
in Savannah. 

Daniel Nunes was a physician. On this account, Gen- 
eral Oglethorpe urged the Trustees of Georgia in Eng- 
land to disregard some objections which were there 
voiced to a Jew becoming a member of the Colony. 

Charles Pryce was a judge. 

Sir Patrick Houstoun was a member of the King’s 
Council and Register of Grants, and the father of Sir 
George Houstoun who later became Master of Solomon’s 
Lodge and Grand Master of Georgia. 

Gray Elliott is named in the present charter of Solo- 
mon’s Lodge (dated 1786) as the second Provincial 
Grand Master of Georgia. 


144 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


James Habersham became Master and later Secretary 
of Solomon’s Lodge and in 1786 was the first Grand 
Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Georgia. 

John Morel was a prominent merchant. 

John Graham was, when the list was made, Lieutenant 
Governor of Georgia and owned the largest plantation 
in the Colony. 

A consideration of these names attests the high stand- 
ing of the fathers of Freemasonry in Georgia, and seems 
to tie these newly discovered records to the present Solo- 
mon’s Lodge, No. 1. 

It is the writer’s opinion that a Lodge met in or near 
Savannah “according to the Old Customs” in 1733/4 and 
that it became ‘‘duly constituted” after October 30, 1735, 
but before March 1, 1735/6. This was about the time 
that Oglethorpe (having returned to England in 1734) 
returned to Georgia with some three hundred emigrants 
of the better class, among them being the celebrated 
Methodist divine, John Wesley. 

Further evidence of the early existence of Freema- 
sonry in Georgia was discovered some five years ago when 
Brother W. H. Mitchell of Solomon’s Lodge was asked 
to repair the brick work of the foundations of a church 
which was erected by the Salzburger Colony, founded at 
Ebenezer twenty-five miles from Savannah. The col- 
ony was founded in 1734 and the church built soon 
thereafter. On the western gable of this church and just 
under the eaves of the roof there is a handmade brass 
square and compass. On several of the bricks, handmade 
by the original builders, he found the square and com- 
pass indented. These were not outside bricks which 
could be easily reached, but were those concealed behind 


1735 145 


the face brick, so that the marks could have been placed 
there by none but the original workmen. 

Roger Lacey died in 1738 and for twenty years there- 
after there was no Pro. G. M. for Georgia. During this 
period the colony dwindled to less than five hundred in- 
habitants and came near going to the wall. When things 
began to revive, Elliott evidently rebuilt the Lodge in 
1756 and was rewarded by appointment as Pro. G. M. 
in 1758. 


1735, October 31, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Alexander and Charles 
Gordon made. Brothers Capt. James Cerke and Dr. 
Thomas Moffat admitted. 

P.L. 
B.MS. 
Barons Letter. 


1735, November 12, _ Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge at which a vote was passed 
relative to the construction of the 8th Article of the By- 
Laws. 

B.MS. 16. 


1735, November 20, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. James Forbes made. 
Bib: 
B.MS. 


Barons Letter. 


1735, December 1, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


146 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1735, December 27, Boston. 
Celebration of the Festival of Saint John the Evange- 
jist. Captain McLean chosen Master of the First Lodge. 
1 Mass. 4. 


South Carolina. 

Charles Pelham, in 1750, when, as Grand Secretary 
of the Provincial Grand Lodge at Boston, he began his 
book of records by recording the principal events thereto- 
fore, wrote under date of December 27, 1735, that 
“about this time sundry Brethren going to South Caro- 
lina met with some Masons in Charlestown who there- 
upon went to work, from which sprung Masonry in those 
parts.” 

This may be the Lodge referred to under 1735, after 
April 17, szpra. 

See also page 189. 

Undoubtedly, Pelham knew whereof he spoke; but we 
are hardly warranted in assigning December 27, 1735, 
as a definite date or in making too explicit assertions 
about it. If it be not Lodge 251, then it is doubtless the 
Lodge referred to under January 26, 1737/8, énfra. 
There is, it seems to me, hardly original evidence enough 
to warrant any definite conclusion. ‘Too much weight, 
however, cannot be given to Pelham’s assertion that from 
this movement sprung Masonry in South Carolina. He 
may not have known the exact facts about the authority 
obtained from England above referred to. (See 1735, 
after April 17, szpra.) Moreover, he does not recite the 
issuance of any warrant or deputation. On his bare 
statement, the Lodge would be irregular although meet- 
ing “according to the Old Customs.” 


1735 147 


At the same time, there is no evidence that No. 251 
did not spring from Massachusetts for there is nothing 
to show the exercise of any authority direct from Eng- 
land prior to October 28, 1736, g.v. Pelham had sources 
of information in 1750 of which we are not to-day aware. 
He was intimately associated with those who had par- 
ticipated in the events from 1733 onward, and could 
have gained much information at first hand and from 
them. 


1735/6, January 4, __ Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge at which it was voted: 


“That the Charge of making a Single Brother Shall 
be Eight pounds this Currency.” 
B.MS. 


1735/6, January 13, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Robert Tomlinson, John 
Overing, Esq., Benjamin Barrons (Barons), and Alex- 
ander Tran made. 

BLL. 
B.MS. 


Barons Letter. 


1735/6, January 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. William Hinton 
and John Osborne made. 
Sd 
B.MS. 


Barons Letter. 


148 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1735/6, January 21, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Thomas Oxnard, and 
Capts. Robert Boyd and Thomas McKnight made. 
P.E. 
B.MS. 
Barons Letter. 


1735/6, January 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Benjamin Hallo- 
well and Capt. Webber Gofton made. 
Pils 
B.MS. 
Barons Letter. 


1735/6, January 30, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Francis Johonnot, Capt. 
Robert Smith, Hugh McDaniel, and Luke Vardy (Mas- 
ter of the Exchange Tavern) made. 

| Eel tp 
B.MS. 
Barons Letter. 


1735/6, February 5, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Robert Oliver and Capt. 
William Frost made. 
ed be 
B.MS. 
Barons Letter. 


Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
On this day six Brethren of Portsmouth, N. H., exe- 
cuted a petition to Henry Price for the Constitution of a 
Lodge at Portsmouth. The original petition is in the 


Bete peeTe 


Wie Here nai ofts of Jie aul 
Ms Abel Mir 
ag jd SSNS Mags [itlyeH Poa 


be eps 


ote. sil as oy 


Re 


©ACSIMILE OF PETITION FOR FIRST LODGE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE 


150 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. A fac- 
simile is herewith presented. We do not know the 
exact date of the Constitution of this Lodge except that 
it was some time in 1736. Its earliest existing record 
book begins October 31, 1739, g.v., with the adoption of 
a set of Regulations or By-Laws. 

Note, from the language of the petition, that the 
Lodge was already organized. 


1735/6, March 20, Philadelphia. 
Franklin charges John Hubbard 2.6 for a Mason Book. 
F.J. 


1735/6, March 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Charles Bladwell, Esq., 
made. 
let) fs 
B.MS. 
Barons Letter. 


135s Philadelphia. 

There is a tradition without any evidence to support 
it that Franklin laid the Corner-stone of the State House 
(Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, during this year. 

Benjamin Franklin as a Freemason (Sachse), 
27-30. 

In the Pocket Companion (Dublin, 1735 Ed.) a Lodge 
is given as No. 116 at The Hoop, in Water Street, in 
Philadelphia. Such a Lodge was never on the English 
Register. 

L.M.R. 56, 480. 

By fanciful and strained reasoning some Brethren have 

sought to say that it belongs as No. 79 on the Eng- 


1735 151 


lish Register which happens this year to be blank. But 
that it does not belong there is evident from the fact 
that on the earlier and later English lists, No. 79 is duly 
accounted for. Moreover this Lodge is not to be found 
in the later published Irish lists. 

If a Lodge at The Hoop existed before 1733, it could 
not have had the place of No. 79 which belonged until 
that year to the Lodge at Castle, Highgate, when it 
united with No. 4. No. 79, thus vacated, was officially 
filled by the Lodge at the Two Angels and Crown, Little 
Saint Martin’s Lane. 

X Q.C.A. 241, 246. 
DeVc thee / 


CHAPTER X 


1736 


1736, April 6, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1736, After April 15, London—South Carolina. 
The Earl of Loudoun issued a Deputation to John 
Hammerton, Esq., as Pro. G. M. for South Carolina. 
Preston (Portsmouth, 1804), 186. 
Anderson (1738 Ed.) 195. 
Entick (1756 Ed.) 333. 
BC, Condon, U7 39 ae 


John Hammerton. 
Of John Hammerton, Mackey tells us in his History 
of Freemasonry in South Carolina: 


‘(He was a man of talent and of considerable civil dis- 
tinction in the Colony. In 1732 he was the Receiver 
General of his Majesty’s Quit Rents, and in 1734, the 
Secretary of the Colony. In 1738, he is recorded as hav- 
ing received the appointment of Register and Secretary 
of South Carolina for life. These were all offices of 
great honour and trust, and his appointment to them is 
an evidence of the high esteem in which he was held by 
the parent government.” 


He did not exercise this deputation until October 28, 
1736, when he was content to serve also as the Master of 


Solomon’s Lodge. 
152 


1736 153 
1736, April 26, ~ Boston. 


The Boston Evening Post contains the following 
item: 


“Some private Societies of Gentlemen who call them- 
felves Free Mafons, having been fet up in Holland, the 
Mob began to fhew their Diflike to fuch Meetings, by 
threatening to pull the Lodge or Houfe where they af- 
fembled, about their Ears; but foon after the States of 
Holland thought fit, it feems, to pafs a Refolution 
again{t fuch private Affemblies; whereupon the City of 
Amfterdam publifhed a Placart again{t them, in Sub- 
{tance as follows, viz.: 

Forasmuch as the Magiftrates in the City of Amfter- 
dam have heard, that there are Perfons in it, who, under 
Pretence of being Members of a certain Society called 
Free Mafons, have had the Affurance to form and fre- 
quent Conventicles and unlawful Affemblies upon that 
Account, and that fome have made ufe of their Houfes 
and Lodgings for holding the faid prohibited Affemblies; 
The Magiftrates having it at Heart to take Care of the 
Tranquility and Welfare of the City and its Citizens, 
have thought it proper and neceffary, to forbid and pro- 
hibit all Perfons in the faid City and its Jurifdiction, as 
they are by thefe Prefents forbidden and prohibited, to 
hold and frequent fuch unlawful Conventicles, whether 
with the Names of Free Mafons, or any other {pecious 
Title which they may affect; as alfo to hire, lett, and 
make ufe of their Houfes, Chambers, Barns, Cellars, 
Coach-houfes, or other Places, for the holding of fuch 
Aifemblies, under Pain of being feverely punifhed, as 
Disturbers of the publick Peace, &c. 

Such another Placart has been publifhed againft them 
at the Hague, and ’tis faid their Lodges or Affemblies 
are to be fuppreffed throughout the whole Province of 
Holland: for the Dutch, it feems, look upon them as 
Accademies not only of Libertinifm and Debauchery, but 
of Faction and Rebellion, and therefore thofe, who keep 


154 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


or frequent fuch Affemblies, are to be punifhed as Dif- 
turbers of the publick Tranquility.” 


Pet 
1736, May 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Patrick Robertson made. 
Peels. 
L/305 Mayra: Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. John Frazier and 
Col. John Morris made. 
fed be 
B.MS. 
Barons Letter. 


1736, June 7, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1736, June Y, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Capt. John Hug- 
get admitted. Mate John (James) Farrell and Mate 
(Capt.) Giles Vandelure made. 

Pale. 
B.MS. 
Barons Letter. 


1736, June 14, Boston. 

The Boston Evening Post contains an account of a so- 
ciety erected at Rome under the name of La Cuchiara, 
after the model of the Free Masons, and its immediately 
meeting with persecution by some of the Priests. 

Rolf 


1736 155 


1736, June 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge at which the following 
votes were passed: 


“That all New made Brothers, Shall Signify upon the 
Same Night of their Making for the next Lodge night 
follow® Wheither they will be Members or Not, And if 
they defire to be Members, Then they Shall be Admitted 
In, without a vote, paying twenty Shillings Entrance For 
their Quarteridge.”’ 

“That Every foreign Brother Admitted in, Member of 
this Lodge Shall pay two Shillings & Six pence to the 
Tyler.” 

“That our prefent Secretary be Excufed & free from 
all Charges & Expenfes of this Lodge.” 

B.MS. 16. 


Bro. Capt. James Crawford admitted. 
top be 
B.MS. 
In the archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts 
is the original draft of a letter dated this day: 


“From the Holy Lodge of St. John held in Boston 
New England” to “the Rt. Hbl. and Rt. Worshipful 
Grand Master or Deputy G. M. or G. W. of the Grand 
Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons In England” 
of good wishes and of recommendation “‘of our Rt. Wor- 
shipful Bro. M* Benj* Barons (our present S. G. W.)” 


This letter with an accompanying list of names of the 
Free and Accepted Masons who were then members of 
the Lodge are also in Beteilhe’s handwriting. The letter 
has the original signatures attached of Henry Price, G. 
M., James Gordon, D. G. M., and Francis Beteilhe, G. 
Sec’y., although they are all crossed out in ink. The 


156 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


letter and list either were retained as copies, or else for 
some reason were not issued. They are clearly genuine. 
The watermarks and texture of the paper are those of 
the period. The handwriting is unquestionably the same 
and even the ink is obviously the same that was used 
upon other documents by Beteilhe. Every name on the 
list is to be found on the Pelham List of 1751 except 
those of Captain Roger Willington and Saml. Wethered. 
The former is on the Beteilhe List of 1737 and both are 
upon the original records of the First Lodge in Boston. 
The list, so far as I know, has never been published. 
They read as follows: 


“From the Holy Lodge of S' John’s Held in 
Bofton New England the 23° Day of June 
A.M. 5736. 

Most Worthy and Dear Brethren, 

Our great Affection for the whole Fraternity will not 
permit Us, to Slip this favourable Opportunity, to Give 
you Sincere Afsurance of our due Regards, for all our 
Most Worthy Brethren, regularly Met in the R* Wor- 
shipful Holy Lodge of S' John, under the Protection of 
the Heavenly Canopy And in Particular, That of Eng- 
land. 

Our hearty good Wishes, We forward to You under 
the Recommendation of our Rt Worfpf. Brother M* 
Benj* Barons (our present S.G.W.) Who’s great Meritts 
has Contributed very much to the flourishing State of 
Masonry in this great Town. 

Our Lodge was Constituted by Our Right Worfhipfull 
Grand Master M* Menry Price (Provincial Grand Mas- 
ter) on the 31* day of August A:D: 1733 & is held at 
the Royall Exchange Tavern in King Street Boston. 
And Meet the 2d & 4th Wednesday in every Month; It 
is Adorned with the most Eminent Gentlemen of this 
Place, And kept in it’s Primitive Beauty & Purity. 


1736 


157 


We Should think our Selves thoroughly Happy, if 
any favourable Opportunity, would offer to Convince 
all Our Worthy Brethren, of our true Affection for their 
Person; and for their Interests in thefe Parts: But in a 
particular Manner for thofe of your Rt Worfhipfull 


Lodge; to whome 


We Remain with due Respect 
Most Worthy & Dear Brethren 
Yo* Affectionate Bro* and very 
humble Servents. 
Francis Beteilhe, G.Sec’y. Henry Price, G.M. 


James Gordon, D.G.M. 


See 1883 Mass. 157. 


A List of the Names of the Free & Accepted Masons who 
are Members of the Holy Lodge of S‘ John. 
Held in Bofton In New England. 


M* Henry Price. G.M 

His Excell’ Jon® Belcher, 
Esq* 

Andrew Belcher Esq" 

Benj* Pemberton Esq’ 

Henry Hope Esq" 

Cap" James Cerke 

Cap” Roger Willington 

M’* John McNeal 

Brethren made In Bofton 

Mr’ James Gordon D.G.M 

M* Benj* Barons S.G.W. 

M* Robert Tomlinfon J 
G W 

Cap” Robert Mackeleen M. 

M* Hugh M‘Daniel S.W. 

M’ John Ofborne jun. J.W. 

Francis Beteilhe Secty 

Charles Bladwell Esq’ 

Doc" Tho* Moffatt 


John Overing Esq’ 
M’* Tho*® Phillips 

M* Andrew Hallyburton 
Mr?’ Tho® Oxnard 
Cap" Willm Hinton 
Cap” Rob‘ M‘Knight 
Cap” Webber Gofton 
Cap” Robert Smith 
Cap” Willm Frost 
Cap” Robert Boydd 
Cap" James Forbes 
Cap” Benj* Hallowell 
Doc* Robert Gardiner 
M"* Moses Slaittewey 
Mr’ Alex* Gordon 

M”* Char* Gordon 

M* Alex® Trann 

M* Sam. Pemberton 
M’* Willm Wefson 
M’ Rob‘ Kenton 


Who! ; 
dacs re ai 


ieee 


A athe Nemes atts Recblisped Maton 
| pelea es pipe 
Te ee ial 


ie 






Uijed 


s Aa. 


I) Wiktin Kirntapes 


FACSIMILE OF LIST ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF FIRST LODGE IN 
BOSTON RECOMMENDING MR. BENJ. BARONS, JUNE 23, 1736 


1736 159 


M’ Robt Peafeley Coll® Jn°® Morris 

M* Peter Prefcott Cap” John Fraizier 

M* John Baker Cap" Ja® Farrell 

M* Sam: Curwin Cap” Giles Vandellure 

M?* Ant® Davis Cap" John Huggott 

M’ John Smith M’ Fred* Hamilton 

M* Sam: Wethered M* Tho*® Molony 

M* Hugh Scott M’* Edm¢ Ellis 

M* John Gordon M* Luke Vardy (Master 
M’ Rich® Patefhall of the Royall Exchange 
M* Fran Johonot Tavern 

1736, June 24, Boston. 


The Boston Evening Post for June 28, 1736, has the 
following account of the celebration of the Festival of 
Saint John the Baptist on this day: 


“Thursday laft, being the Feftival of St. John the 
Baptift, the Annual Meeting of the Free and Accepted 
Mafons, they accordingly met at the Royal Exchange in 
King-Street, Bofton: The Grand Mafter Nominated and 
Appointed Meffieurs Hugh Mac Daniel and John Os- 
borne Wardens for the Year enfuing; after which they 
had an elegant Entertainment, his Excellency the Gov- 
ernour, the Rev. Mr. Commiffary Price, and feveral 
other Gentlemen of Diftinction being prefent.” 

P-t. 
1 Mass. 5. 


Philadelphia. 
The Pennsylvania Gazette for July 8, 1736, reports 
that Thomas Hopkinson, Gent., was chosen Grand Mas- 
ter of the Province of Pennsylvania at a Grand Lodge 


held in Philadelphia this day. 
1736, June 28, Boston. 


A petition was forwarded for the appointment of 


160 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Robert Thomlinson (or Tomlinson) to succeed Henry 
Price as Pro. G. M. 

1871 Mass. 309. 

1883 Mass. 159. 


1736, July 5, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1736, July 15, Philadelphia. 

The Pennsylvania Gazette has an account of the elec- 
tion of Thomas Hopkinson as Grand Master of the 
Province of Pennsylvania. 


Thomas Hopkinson. 

Thomas Hopkinson was born in London, April 6, 1709. 
He studied law, and about 1731, emigrated to Penn- 
sylvania. He was elected Junior Grand Warden June 
24, 1734; Deputy Grand Master in 1735; and Grand 
Master in 1736. He was appointed Master of the Rolls, 
June 20, 1736; chosen Common Councilman, 1741; and 
became a member of the Provincial Council, May 13, 
1747. He was one of the incorporators of the Phila- 
delphia Library Company, one of the original trustees 
of the College (now the University of Pennsylvania), 
and the first president of the American Philosophical 
Society. In 1751, he is mentioned among the ‘“De- 
parted Saints of the Law.” He married a niece of the 
Bishop of Worcester, was the father of Francis Hop- 
kinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and 
the grandfather of Joseph Hopkinson, the author of our 
patriotic song, “Hail Columbia.” Bro. Hopkinson died 
in Philadelphia, November 5, 1751. 

1 O.M.L.P. 37. 





THOMAS HOPKINSON 





a 7 7 


1736 161 


1736, July 22, Philadelphia. 
The Pennsylvania Gazette gives an account of a Ma- 
sonic parade in London. 


1736, July 27, Boston. 
The New England Weekly Journal of this date had 


the following item: 


“London, March 20, 

On the 15th of next Month an extraordinary Feaft is 
to be held at Fifhmongers Hall by a felect Number of 
Free Mafons, in Honour of his Highnefs the Duke of 
Lorrain’s Narriage (sé¢), who is one of the Brethren. 

N.B. Every Brother is to introduce two Sifters to 
this grand Feaft, to convince the Publick that they are 
no Enemies to the fair sex.” 


P-t. 


1736, August 2, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1736, August 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Shaw Mackintosh, Esq. 
and James Stevenson made. 
| Io 
B.MS. 


1736, September 1, Boston. 

Henry Price, G. M., James Gordon, D. G. M., Robert 
Tomlinson, M., Hugh McDaniel, Sr. W., John Osborne, 
Jr. W., and Francis Beteilhe, Sec’y, wrote a letter of 
recommendation for Brother Patherick (Patrick) Rob- 
ertson. 

1 Mass. 393. 
See 1736, May 12, supra, 
and 1736, November 2, znfra. 


162 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 
1736, September 6, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1736, September 8, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Nicholas Davis 
admitted. 
ele 


1736, October 4, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1736, October 28, Charleston, S. C. 
The South Carolina Gazette for October 29, 1736, has 
the following item: 


“Last night a Lodge of the Ancient and Honourable 
Society of Free and Accepted Mafons, was held, for the 
first time, at Mr. Charles Shepheard’s, in Broad Street, 
when John Hammerton, Efq., Secretary and Receiver 
General for this Province, was unanimoufly chofen Maf- 
ter, who was pleafed to appoint Mr. Thomas Denne, 
Senior Warden, Mr. Tho. Harbin, Junior Warden, and 
Mr. James Gordon, Secretary.” 


R. W. William G. Mazyck, Grand Historian of the 
Grand Lodge of South Carolina, says that this item is 
“absolutely unimpeachable evidence that Solomon’s 
Lodge No. | of Charleston is the oldest Masonic body 
in the western hemisphere, the record of whose establish- 
ment is absolutely unassailable.”’ ‘Though this claim is 
shown by the preceding pages to be untenable, it is only 
fair to state his contention. 


1736 163 


Philadelphia. 
Franklin, in his Journal, charges the Lodge at Bro. 
Hubbards 


“Oct. 1736 For 1100 Tickets 4.11.8 
For Advertisements LOGS 
F.J. 


1736, November 2, Boston. 

Brother Robertson presents his letter of recommenda- 
tion (see 1736, September 1, swzpra) to the Lodge Glas- 
gow Kilwinning and it is recorded in full upon the min- 
ute book of that Lodge. 

1 Mass. 393. 
See also 1736/7, January 28 and 
February 22, énfra. 


1736, November 8, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1736, November 10, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Thomas Renolds 
(Reynolds) made. 
els 
B.MS. 


1736, November 19, _ Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Capts. Peter Tomkins 
(Tonkin) and Richard Parks made. 
len ib 
B.MS. 


164 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1736, November 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Dr. Archibald Ramsay 
made. 
P.L. 
B.MS. 


1736, December 6, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1736, December 7, London—Boston. 

On this date the Earl of Loudoun, Grand Master of 
England, issued his Deputation to Robert Thomlinson as 
Provincial Grand Master of New England. 

B.MS. 19. 

1 Mass. 5. 

1871 Mass. 309, 349. 

1900 Mass. 126. 

Anderson (1756 Ed.) 333. 
P.C. (2nd London Ed.) 115. 


1736, December 20, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1736, December 22, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge at which the following 
vote was passed: 


“That when ever any Town-dweller Shall be propofed 
to be Made, the 5th Article in the General Regulations 
in the printed-book of Constitutions, Shall be Strickly 
Observed.” 

B.MS. 

The 5th Article referred to provides that no man can 
be made or admitted without one month’s notice to the 
Lodge (unless by Dispensation) and due enquiry. 


1736 165 


1736, December 27, Boston. 
The Boston Gazette for January 17, 1736/7, contains 
the following item: 


“It being St. John’s Day the 27th of December laft, 

a Grand Lodge was held at the Royal Exchange Tavern 
in King ftreet Bofton by the ancient and honourable 
Society of Free and Accepted Mafons there, Mr. Henry 
Price Grand Mai{ter appointed his Deputy Grand Matf- 
ter and Grand Wardens for the Year enfuing, viz. Mr. 
Robert Thomlinfon Deputy Grand Mafter, Mr. Hugh 
McDaniel Sen. and Mr. John Osborne Jun. Grand 
Wardens.” 

P—t. 

1 Mass. 5. 


South Carolina. 
Gould says that James Graeme was elected Pro. G. M. 
for South Carolina. 
IV Gould 394. 
But see, 1737, July 21, and August 18, énfra. 


1736/7, January 3, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1736/7, January 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Nathaniel Bethune 
made. 
aly. 
B.MS. 


1736/7, January 28, Boston. 
The Lodge of Glasgow Kilwinning addresses a letter 
to Thomlinson, Provincial Grand Master, in answer to 


166 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


that presented by Brother Robertson (1736, November 2, 
supra). 

1 Mass. 394. 

B.MS. 24. 

It would be interesting to know how this Lodge knew 
of Thomlinson’s appointment. It had been petitioned 
for and the Commission had been issued (December 7, 
1736), but the Commission was not received in Boston 
until April 20, 1737, g.v. 

Is it not a fair guess that Brother Robertson delivered 
the petition and received the Commission for transmis- 
sion to Thomlinson, before he visited Glasgow? And, 
also, that perhaps he brought the Commission with him 
on returning to Boston? 


1736/7, February 7, Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1736/7, February 9, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge at which the following 
vote was passed: 

“That if at any time hereafter any foreign Brother 
Shou:d Come to the Lodge and after due Examination 
found to be but an Enter’d Apprentice, Shall be defired 
to withdraw in proper Time: Unlefs he defires to be 
made a Fellow Craft. Which Shall be granted, he pay- 
ing forty Shillings, for Such Admittance.” 

B.MS. 


1736/7, February 22, Boston. 

Glasgow Kilwinning Lodge addresses to the First 
Lodge in Boston a letter of recommendation of Capt. 
Robert Paisly. 

1 Mass. 394, 
B.MS. 


1736 167 


1736/7, March 7, _ Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1736/7, March 21, Boston. 

The Boston Evening Post quotes the South Carolina 
Gazette of February 19, 1736/7, as announcing that the 
“Free Mafon, Capt. Phoenix from Jamaica,” had been 
“taken and condemn’d by a Spanifh Man of War near 
the Havannah.” 

Pt. 


CHAPTER XI 
1737 
1737, April 4, Philadelphia. 


Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1737, April 13, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Samuel Stone of Salem 
made. 
Pals 
B.MS. 


1737, April 20, Boston. 
The Commission of Provincial Grand Master Thom- 
linson arrives in Boston. 
1 Mass. 5. 
1914 Mass. 262. 
1736, December 7, supra. 


Robert Tomlinson (alias Thomlinson ). 

Provincial Grand Master for New England from 
April 20, 1737 to July 16, 1740. 

Of Tomlinson’s birth and early life we know nothing. 
His religious activities, his business career, and his wife’s 
family name would indicate that he came from Antigua. 
The first we know of him is that he was married March 
2, 1730, to Elizabeth Gerot (or Gerret) by the Rev. 
Timothy Cutler, D.D., Rector of Christ Church, Boston. 
Neither the birth nor baptismal records show children 


having come to their home, and there is nothing in the 
168 


1737 169 


scanty records of the probate of his estate to indicate that 
either a widow or child survived him. October 29, 1734 
(Suffolk Registry of Deeds, book 49, page 174) he pur- 
chased a three-eighths interest in two lots of land on the 
shore with a wharf. This property was located in Bos- 
ton on the Charles River, not far from the present site 
of the Massachusetts General Hospital. The wharf went 
into decay, for there being no clear channel the larger 
vessels could not be accommodated at it. Later the 
building of the West Boston Bridge and the closer con- 
nection with Cambridge and the inland towns brought 
this region into a new prominence for development, 
though then we find another the owner of the whole 
property. 

Tomlinson was made a Mason on January 13, 1735, 
in the First Lodge in Boston and was later accepted in 
the Masters Lodge, although he was not raised here. 
He was chosen Master of the First Lodge in Boston on 
St. John the Baptist’s Day, 1736, and at the Festival of 
St. John the Evangelist was appointed Deputy Grand 
Master by Henry Price, being succeeded by Thomas Ox- 
nard as Master of the Lodge. His commission as Pro- 
vincial Grand Master from the Earl of Loudoun, etc., 
Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Masons of Eng- 
land, dated December 7, 1736, was received here by 
Tomlinson on April 20, 1737, and in June he celebrated 
the Festival of St. John the Baptist. 

During 1738 Tomlinson went to England by way of 
Antigua “where finding some old Boston Masons went 
to Work and made the Governour and sundry other 
Gentlemen of Distinction Masons, whereby from Our 
Lodge sprung Masonry in the West Indies.” (This ex- 
tract from the Massachusetts records is possibly in part 


170 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


in error. He undoubtedly founded a new Lodge in An- 
tigua as related but it is believed that in Antigua, Par- 
ham Lodge was constituted January 3l, 1737; Court 
House Lodge November 22, 1738; Baker’s Lodge March 
14, 1738/9; and another Lodge at St. John not long 
after.) He attended the meeting of the Grand Lodge 
of England held at the Devil Tavern near Temple Bar 
on Wednesday, January 31, 1738/9, ¢.v. 

In May, 1739, Tomlinson returned to Boston and 
holding a Grand Lodge received the congratulations of 
the Brethren in Due Form. 

On December 27th of that year Tomlinson appointed 
Thomas Oxnard as Deputy Grand Master, and we find 
the official minute in the Massachusetts record book, 


“Nothing further Remarkable Occur’d this Year, only 
the Craft Continued flourishing.” 


Shortly thereafter Tomlinson returned to Antigua, 
where he soon died. The burial register of St. John’s, 
Antigua, contains the following entry, viz.: “1740 July 
16 Robert Tomlinson, Merchant, from Boston.” 

Benjamin Hallowell, a prominent member of the Fra- 
ternity who rose to the rank of Deputy Grand Master, 
evidently was very closely associated with Tomlinson 
and had reason to believe that on July 15, 1740, at 
Antigua, Tomlinson had made his will. This will was 
lost and has never been found, although strenuous ex- 
ertions were made to discover it, various persons being 
carefully examined who were suspected of having se- 
questered it. In September, October, and November, 
1740, Hallowell caused the following advertisement to 
be published in several issues of the Boston Evening 


1737 171 


Post, the New England Weekly Journal, and the Boston 
Weekly Post Boy: 


“WuerEAS: Robert Tomlinson, late of Boston, Mer- 
chant, at the Island of Antigua, on the 15th of July last 
made his Will, touching his estate in the West Indies, 
and thereby directed the Executors of that will (after 
payment of his debts and Funeral expenses and other 
disbursements), to transmit the Remainder of his estate 
to me, Benjamin Hallowell, of Boston, to be disposed 
of as his Will there (in Boston) directs; and the said 
Robert soon after died, but his Will last mentioned has 
not yet been found: These therefore, are earnestly to 
desire to such persons (if any such there be) as hath in 
his possession that Will, by the said Testator declared 
to be in Boston, to carry the same to the Hon. the Judge 
of the Probate of Wills for the County of Suffolk, or to 
the Registers Office, or to give me notice thereof, that so 
the Will of the deceased Gentleman may be lawfully 
proved, and afterwards fulfilled. 

“BENJAMIN HaLLowELt.” 


Brother Hallowell’s appointment as Administrator is 
still on file in the Suffolk Probate office, though there 
are no records of inventory, account, or distribution of 
the estate. The following is the advertisement in three 
successive issues of the Boston News Letter, beginning 
December 4, 1740, of Benjamin Hallowell as Adminis- 
trator of the estate: 


‘All Persons indebted to the Estate of Robert Thom- 
linson, late of Boston, Merchant, deceased, are desired 
forthwith to pay their respective Debts to Benjamin 
Hallowell of said Boston, Administrator on said Estate, 
without further Notification than this Advertisement; 
and such as have any Demands on said Estate, are also 


172 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


desired speedily to bring in their Accounts to the said 
Administrator, in order to a Settlement.” 


I have recently discovered Brother Tomlinson’s will. 
It was made in London, April 11, 1739, while he was 
on his last visit there. The following is extracted from 
the Principal Registry of the Probate, Divorce and Ad- 
miralty Division of the High Court of Justice in the 
Prerogative Court of Canterbury. 


I, Ropert THomurnson of Boston in New England 
in America Merchant do make and declare this to be my 
last Will and Testament and do hereby revoke all other 
Wills by me heretofore made First my Will is that all 
my just debts be fully paid and satisfied Also I give all 
the rest and residue of my estate after my debts are paid 
to my brother Richard Thomlinson my sister Isabel Rob- 
inson and sister Catherine Robinson to be equally divided 
amongst them share and share alike In WITNEss 
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 
eleventh day of April in the year of our Lord 1739.— 
Ros’ THomurinson (LS)—Sealed published and de- 
clared in the presence of—Ros' Yorx—M. Rosin- 
SON.— 

Administration (with Will) 
granted 29th January 1740 
Fos 4 HJT. 
22. Spurway. 

On the Twenty-ninth day of January in the Year of 
our Lord one Thousand and fforty* Administration 
with the Will annexed of the Goods Chattles and Credits 
of Robert Thomlinson late of Boston in New England 
in America Batchelor * deceased was granted to Richard 
Thomlinson the natural and lawfull Brother of the said 
deceased and one of the Residuary Legatees named in 


1QOld Style. This would be 1741, New Style. It is the January fol- 
lowing his death (July, 1740). 
2 He was a widower, not a bachelor. 


1737 173 


the said Will (for that no Executor is named therein) 
being first sworn duly to administer the same. 


The most careful search has so far failed to bring to 
light any portrait of Brother Tomlinson. 


1737, April 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Richard Wolfe 
admitted. 
1rd be 


1737, April 25, Boston. 
The Boston Gazette contains the following item of 
news, U2z. 


“That the Order of Free Mafons, eftablifhed long 
fince in England, has become lately much in Vogue at 
Paris, there being great {triving to be admitted, even at 
the Expence of ten Louis d’Ors; 18 or 20 Perfons of 
great Diftinction have been lately created Mafons, 
among{t whom was the Marfhal d’Eftrees; and five 
Lodges are already eftablifhed, which makes fo great a 
Noife, and gives fo much Offence to People ignorant of 
their Mifteries, that it’s expected they will {peedily be 
fupprefs’d as they have been in Holland.” 

it. 


1737, After April 28, and before April 27, 1738. 
London—West Indies. 

The Earl of Darnley, Grand Master of England, is- 
sued a Deputation to Captain William Douglas, as 
Provincial Grand Master on the coast of Africa and in 
' the Islands of America; excepting such places where a 
Provincial Grand Master is already deputed. He also 


174 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


issued one to James Watson, Esq., as Provincial Grand 
Master for Montserrat. 

Preston (Portsmouth, 1804) 187. 

Entick (1756 Ed.) 333. 

Anderson (1738 Ed.) 195. 

P.C. (2nd London Ed.) 116. 


1737 May: Philadelphia. 
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting. 


1737, May 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Alexander French made 
and Brother John Maxwell admitted. 
eed 
B.MS. 


AS ae aye Philadelphia. 
The Pennsylvania Gazette has an account of the elec- 
tion of the Grand Master of Scotland. 


li/S/eiMay 26. Charleston, S. C. 

“The Recruiting Officer” was acted at Charleston for 
the entertainment of the Fraternity ‘who came to the 
play-house . . . in the usual manner.” The Entered 
Apprentice’s and Master’s songs were sung, the Masons 
in the Pit joining in the chorus. “After the play, the 
Masons returned to the Lodge at Mr. Shepheard’s in the 
same order observed in coming to the play-house.”’ 


South Carolina Gazette for May 28, 1737. 


This is the first reported Masonic procession in Amer- 
ica, though it does not appear that any regalia was worn. 


1737 175 


b/37, June 2, Philadelphia. 
The Pennsylvania Gazette has an account of a Ma- 
sonic funeral in London. 


1737, June 6, Philadelphia. 

L. B. charges the entrance fees of Dr. Thomas Cad- 
walader, Michael Cario, William Deering, Thomas Es- 
daile, David Humphrey, John Jones, and Henry Lewis. 


1737, June 8, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Captain Edward Clerke 
(Clarke) of New York and Albert Dennie made. 
Pls: 
B.MS. 


1737, June 9, Boston. 
The Boston Weekly News Letter has the following 


curious item: 


“The Humour of entring into the Society cal’d Free 
Mafons, runs fo high in France that there are no lefs 
than nine Lodges conftituted in Paris, a vaft many 
young Noblemen are become Members of the Order, par- 
ticularly the Prince of Conti, and even the Minifter for 
the Marine Affairs, as well as feveral General Officers 
and two Bifhops. The Ladies pufh forward for an in- 
{titution-of this Kind, in order for an engraftment but 
the Princefs of Carignan is the only Woman yet discov- 
ered that can fteep (sc) a secret, fo that the Female 
Mafonry, it’s thought, will fall to the Ground.—yjuft 
now we have Advice that Monfieur Blarer the noted 
Flute Player, and Monfieur Leclainlee, the famous Fid- 
ler, with feveral other Men of Science, and Poets of all 
Sizes were admitted Members, but as the old Cure of 
St. Sulpice the Great Pro ector (sé¢), and Father Tour- 


176 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


nemin the celebrated preacher and Jesuit, were going to 
initiate themfelves, out comes an Order from the King, 


like a Thunderbolt, and throws down the Babel Build- 
P-t. 


1737, June 16, Philadelphia. 

The Pennsylvania Gazette publishes an item copied in 
the Boston Evening Post of June 27, 1737, the New 
England Weekly Journal of June 28, 1737, and the 
Boston Weekly News Letter of June 30, 1737. It is as 
follows: 


“Philadelphia, June 16. 
We hear, that Monday night laft, fome People pre- 
tending to be Free Mafons, got together in the Cellar, 
with a young Man who was defirous of being made one, 
and in the Ceremony, ’tis faid, they threw fome burning 
Spirits on him, which burnt him fo that he was obliged 
to take to his bed, and died this Morning.” 


Immediately after this event there was published as 
au advertisement in the Pennsylvania Gazette and the 
American Weekly Mercury the following: 


Penn’a, SS., Hopkinson, Grand Master. 

Whereas, fome ill-difposed Perfons in this City af- 
fuming the Name of Free-Mafons, have for some years 
paft impofed upon feveral well-meaning People, who 
defirous of becoming true Brethren, perfuading them, 
after they had performed certain ridiculous Ceremonies, 
that they were really become Free-Mafons, and have 
lately, under the Pretence of making a Young Man a 
Mafon, caused his Death, as ’tis faid, by Purging, Vomit- 
ing, Burning, and the Terror of certain horrid and dia- 
bolical rites: It is thought proper, for preventing fuch 


1737 177 


Impofitions for the future, and to avoid any unjust Af- 
perfions that may be thrown on the Antient and Hon- 
ourable Fraternity on this Account, either in this city or 
any other Part of the World, to publifh this Advertife- 
ment, declaring the Abhorance of all true Brethren to 
fuch Practices in general, and their Innocence of this 
Fact in particular: and that the Perfons concerned in this 
wicked Action are not of our Society, nor of any Society 
of Free and Accepted Mafons, to our knowledge or Be- 
lief. 
Signed in Behalf of all the Members of St. John’s 
Lodge, at Philad’a the 16th day of June, 1737. 
Thomas Hopkinfon, Grand Mafter. 
Will. Plumftead, Deputy Mafter. 


Joseph Shippen 
Henry Pratt }Grand Warden 


The attestation of this document tends to confirm what 
has been hinted above, to the effect that there was up to 
this date but one Lodge in Philadelphia and also that 
the Lodge and the Grand Lodge there were one and the 
same. 


L773 June 23) Philadelphia. 

The Pennsylvania Gazette publishes the result of the 
coroner’s inquest on the matter referred to under 1737, 
June 16, supra, to the effect that the throwing of the 
spirits was accidental. 

See also Boston Weekly News Letter for July 
Tek hod: 


1737, June 24, Boston. 
The Boston Gazette for June 27, 1737, publishes the 
following account of the Festival on this day: 


178 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


“Friday laft being the Feaft of St. John the Baptift, 
the annual Meeting of the Free and Accepted Mafons, 
they accordingly met. The right worfhipful Mr. Robert 
Thomlinfon G. M. nominated and appointed his grand 
Officers for the Year enfuing, viz Mr. Hugh McDaniel 
D.G.M. Mr. Thomas Moffatt, (Doctor of Medicines) 
S.G.W. Mr. John Osborne J.G.W. Mr. Benjamin Hal- 
lowell, G.T. Mr. Francis Beteillie (Beteilhe) G.S. after 
which the Society attended the G.M. in Proceffion to his 
Excellency Governour Belcher, & from thence the Gov- 
ernour was attended by the G.M. and the Brotherhood to 
the Royal Exchange Tavern in King-Street, where they 
had an elegant Entertainment. It being the firf{t Pro- 
ce{fion in America, they appeared in the proper Badges 
of their Order, fome Gold, the reft Silver. The Procef- 
fion was clofed by the Grand Wardens.” 

et 
1 Mass. 6. 

This item was copied in the St. James Evening Post, 

London, for August 20, 1737. 
1 Mass. 470. 

This was perhaps the first American procession of a 

Lodge as such in regalia. 


But see 1737, May 26, supra. 


Philadelphia. 
William Plumstead was chosen Grand Master of Penn- 
sylvania at a Grand Lodge held at the Indian King. 
Pennsylvania Gazette for June 30, 1737. 
Boston Weekly News Letter for July 14, 1737, 


G.U. 


William Plumstead. 
William Plumstead was a son of Clement Plumstead, 
Provincial Councillor, and was born in Philadelphia, 


1737 179 


November 7, 1708. In 1724, he was taken abroad by 
his father. He became a Common Councilman of the 
City in 1739, and upon his return from a voyage to Eng- 
land in 1741, was suggested for the Provincial] Council. 
He was chosen Register of Wills in 1735; 1748, Alder- 
man; 1750, Judge of the Orphans’ Court; 1754, Mayor 
of the City, and 1764, President Judge of the Court of 
Quarter Sessions. He was chosen Senior Grand Warden 
in 1735; Deputy Grand Master in 1736; Grand Master 
in 1737; and Grand Treasurer in 1755. He renounced 
Quakerism, and became an Episcopalian, and was one 
of the founders of the St. Peter’s Church at Third and 
Pine Streets, Philadelphia. He died, August 10, 1765, 
and was buried in St. Peter’s churchyard. 
1 O.M.L.P. 40. 


L/o7eune:.2/, Boston. 
The Boston Evening Post publishes the item referred 
to under 1737, June 10, supra. 
EG 


1737, June 28, Boston. 
The New England Weekly Journal publishes the item 
referred to under 1737, June 16, szpra. 


1737, June 30, Boston. 
The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes the item 
referred to under 1737, June 16, supra. 
Pt 


Pa July, 2; Charleston, S. C. 

The South Carolina Gazette announces the arrival at 
Charleston of the ‘“‘Free-Mason,”’ from Providence, refer- 
ring to it as a sloop. 


180 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1737, July 4, Boston. 
The Boston Gazette publishes the following item of 
news from London: 


“April 26. Yefterday at Noon the Earl of Darnley 
Grand Mafter elect of the Antient and Honourable So- 
ciety of Free Mafons in a Chariot drawn by fix fine 
Horfes, attended with upwards of an hundred Coaches 
& Chariots, went from his Lordship’s Houfe in Pall-Mall, 
where the Company Breakfafted, which coft his Lord- 
{hip two hundred Pounds, and then proceeded thro’ the 
City to Fifhmonger’s Hall, where a Grand Entertain- 
ment was provided: There were three Pair of Kettle 
Drums, fix Trumpets, and eight French Horns, properly 
difpos’d in the Proceffion.” 

ae 


L737 sive Boston. 
The Boston Evening Post publishes the following ex- 
tract of a private letter from Paris: 


“The Court has taken fuch Offence at the vaft and 
fudden Increafe of the Society of Free Mafons, that the 
King has forbid their Meeting at any of their Lodges, 
and looks with an indifferent eye on thofe who have been 
forward in entering into a Society, that even the States 
of Holland would not fuffer amongft them.” 

tock. 


1737, July 14, Boston. 
The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes the follow- 
ing item quoted from the Pennsylvania Gazette of June 


30, 1737: 


“Friday laft was held, at the Indian King in this City, 
a Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Mafons; when 





WILLIAM PLUMSTEAD 


oie 





1737 181 


William Plumstead was unanimously chofen Grand 
Matter of this Province, for the Year enfuing; who ap- 
pointed Jofeph Shippen, jun. to be his Deputy, and 
Meffrs Henry Prat, and Philip Syng, were nominated 
and chofen Grand Wardens.” 

Pt: 


1737, July 21, Charleston, S. C. 
The South Carolina Gazette publishes the following: 


“Last Thurfday, (2lst July, 1737), John Hammer- 
ton, Efq., Receiver General of his Majefty’s Quit-rents, 
Secretary and one of his Majef{ty’s Honourable Council, 
who has been the firft Mafter of the Lodge of the 
Ancient and Honourable Society of Free Mafons in this 
place, and intending to embark on board the ship Molly 
Galley, John Caruthers, Mafter, for London, at a Lodge 
held that evening, refigned his office, for the true and 
faithful difcharge of which he received the thanks of 
the whole Society, who were 30 in number. James 
Graeme, Efq., was then unanimoufly chofen Mafter in 
his room, and having been duly in{ftalled into that office 
with the ufual ceremonies, was pleafed to chufe and 
appoint James Wright, Efg., who was Junior Warden, 
to be Senior Warden, and Maurice Lewis, Efq., Junior 
Warden.” 


Concerning the new Master, shortly to become Pro- 
vincial Grand Master, Brother Mackey in his “History 
of Freemasonry in South Carolina’ says: 


“James Graeme, who was an attorney at law, held, at 
the time of his appointment as Master of the new Lodge, 
the position of Commissioner of the Market. After- 
wards he was appointed a Lieutenant in the Second Com- 
pany of Militia, which was enrolled in November, 1738, 
for the defence of the Province against an anticipated 


182 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


attack of the Spaniards of Florida. Subsequently he was 
a Representative from Charleston in the Commons House 
of Assembly and finally received from the Crown the 
appointments of Chief Justice of the Province, Judge of 
the Court of Admiralty, and a seat in his Majesty’s Coun- 
cil, offices which he held until his death, which took place 
on Saturday, 29th of August, 1752. 
S. Car. Gazette, Ist Sept. 175277 


James Wright, afterwards Senior Warden, Master 
and Provincial Grand Master, will be referred to here- 
after. 

Maurice Lewis was the progenitor of a large family, 
many of whose members have held elevated positions in 
South Carolina. He himself was, in 1738, appointed 
one of the Commissioners to build up the curtain line 
before Charleston Bay. 


Philadelphia. 
The Pennsylvania Gazette copies from the Boston 
Gazette the item referred to under 1737, July 4, supra. 


1737, July 27, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Thomas Pearson made. 
ded be. 
B.MS. 


1737, August 10, Philadelphia. 
Franklin charges the Lodge at Brother Hubard’s for 
“Freight of limes, 3.0.” 
F.J. 
It is surmised that the Lodge put these limes to a use 
which would be unlawful in the United States to-day. 


1737 183 


1737, August 18, Charleston, S. C. 

The South Carolina Gazette for Saturday, the 20th 
of August, 1737, contains the following important para- 
graph: 


“On Thurfday night laft, (18th of August,) at the 
Solomon’s Lodge in Charles-Town, a Deputation from 
the Right Worfhipful and Right Honourable John, Earl 
of Loudoun, conftituting and appointing a Provincial 
Grand Mafter of South Carolina, was read, when James 
Graeme, Efq., the prefent Grand Mafter of the faid 
Province, propofed James Wright, Efq., to be Mafter of 
the Solomon’s Lodge, which was unanimoufly agreed to 
by the Lodge.” 


In this news item the Lodge, for the first time is re- 
ferred to as “Solomon’s Lodge.” 


1737, August 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Richard Wolfe 
admitted. 
leh Se 


1737, September 12, Boston. 
The Boston Evening Post quotes “From the Polttical 
State for May, 1737,” the following item: 


“The 28th Inftant at Noon the Society of Free Ma- 
fons, went with uncommon Splendor from the Houfe of 
their Grand Mafter the Earl of Darnley, in Pall Mall, 
to Fif{hmonger’s Hall; his Lordfhip appeared on this Oc- 
cafion in a Superb Chariot drown by fix fine Grey 
Horfes, Kettle Drums, French Horns, Trumpets, were 
properly difpofed in the Proceffion which confifted of 
above a hundred Coaches and Chariots, all filled with 
Perfons of Eminence, and the Breakfaft at his Lord- 


184 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


f{hip’s Houfe coft upwards of Two Hundred Pounds, all 
which are undeniable Marks of the Wealth and Wifdom 
109 


of the prefent Age: 
as 


1737, October 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Nathaniel Derby 
admitted. 
Pil 


1737, October 24. Boston. 

The Boston Evening Post under the heading of ‘‘Lon- 
don, August 5”’ publishes the following two items among 
others, vzz- 


“It feems they refolv’d at Paris to go thro’ Stitch 
with the Free Mafons: The Lientenant General of the 
Police fent to an Englifhman’s Lodging in the Hotel de 
Bourgogne, Fauxbourge St. Germain, and his Mef- 
fengers brought away not only the Utenfils, Figures, 
&c. belonging to the Free Mafons, but alfo the Statutes 
of their Order, and every thing that feem’d to have any 
Relation to it. In the Year 1734 the French Miniftry 
would have confider’d better of the Matter before they 
infulted an Englifh Free Mafon, for fear of ruffing the 
P—of B—-; but Adieu Panniers, Vendanges: font faites.” 

“We hear that a Deputation from the Society of Free 
and Accepted Mafons of this Kingdom is to be fent to 
Germany, to congratulate (a Royal Brother) the Duke 
of Lorrain on his Acceffion to the Dutchy of Tufcany.” 

Pet. 


1737, October 26, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Andrew Hill made and 
Brother John Waghorn admitted. 
P.L. 


1737 185 


1737, November 9, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. John Tucker and Peter 
Buckley made, and Brother John Saint admitted. 
jel 


1737, November 11, — Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Joseph Smith made. 
PAs. 


1737, November 14, _ Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Erasmus James Phillips 
made, and Brother J. Sheriff admitted. 
j eae be 


1737, November 15, New York. 

Capt. Richard Riggs was this day appointed Provin- 
cial Grand Master for New York by the Earl of Darn- 
ley, Grand Master of England. It is believed that he 
authorized the formation of one Lodge before September 
24, 1739, because in the New York Gazette for that 
date is a notice of its meeting. 

Anderson (1738 Ed.) 195. 
Entick (1756 Ed.) 333. 
P.C. (2nd English Ed.) 116. 
Ss EAS 

IV Gould 414. 


1737, November 28, — Boston. 

The Boston Evening Post contains a notice of the 
meeting of Lodge No. 9, in London, on September 21, 
igo. 

P-t. 


186 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


New York. 

Article in New York Gazette on the “(New and un- 
usual sect or society of persons of late appeared in our 
native country and at last has extended to these parts of 
America” and complaining that “this society, called 
Freemasons, meet with their doors shut and a guard at 
the outside.” It will be noted that this was just after 
Provincial Grand Master Riggs’ appointment but before 
news of the appointment could have reached New York. 
Captain Riggs arrived in New York some months later 


(May 21, 1738). 


1737, December 1, Philadelphia. 

The Pennsylvania Gazette reports the appointment of 
a Provincial Grand Master for the Leeward group of the 
West India Islands. 


1737, December 5, Boston. 
The boston Gazette contains the following advertise- 
ment concerning the Pro. G. M.: 


“Mr. Robert Thomlinfon being bound {peedily for 
England, defires all Perfons that have any Demands on 
him forthwith to apply for Payment; and alfo Requefts 
thofe Indebted to him not to delay the fame.” 

| rei 


1737, December 8, Charleston, S. C. 
The South Carolina Gazette announces the arrival of 
the “Free Mason” from New York. 


1737, December 12, Boston. 
The advertisement of December 5 (q.v.) is repeated. 


1737 187 


1737, December 14, — Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Stephen Deblois made. 
toga Br 


1737, December 19, Boston. 
The advertisement of December 5 (g.v.) is repeated. 


1737, December 27, — Boston. 

The Festival is celebrated and shortly thereafter Pro- 
vincial Grand Master Thomlinson leaves for England 
by way of Antigua. 


1 Mass. 6. 


Charleston, S. C. 
The S. C. Gazette for December 29, 1737, says: 


“On Tuefday laft, being St. John’s day, all the mem- 
bers of the Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and 
Accepted Mafons in this place met at Mr. Seaman’s, 
Matter of Solomon’s Lodge, from whence they pro- 
ceeded, all properly clothed, under the found of French 
horns, to wait on James Graeme, Efg., Provincial Grand 
Mafter, at his houfe in Broad Street, where they were 
received by all the members of the Grand Lodge. After 
a {hort {tay there, they all went in proceffion and with 
the enfigns of their Order into the Court-Room at Mr. 
Charles Shepheard’s houfe, making a very grand fhow. 
Here, to a numerous audience of Ladies and Gentlemen, 
who were admitted by tickets, the Grand Mafter made 
a very elegant {peech in praife of Mafonry, which we 
hear was univerfally applauded. Then the Grand Lodge 
withdrew in order to proceed to the election of a Grand 
Mafter for the ensuing year, when James Graeme, Efq., 
was unanimoufly re-chofen Grand Mafter, who ap- 
pointed James Wright, Efg., Deputy Grand Mafter, 
Maurice Lewis, Esg., Senior Grand Warden, John 
Crookfhanks, Efgq., Junior Grand Warden, James 


188 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Mitchie, Efq., Grand Treafurer, and James Gordon, 
Efq., Grand Secretary. 

The fame day Mr. James Crokatt was unanimously 
chofen Mafter of Solomon’s Lodge.” 


James Crokatt was evidently a citizen of some dis- 
tinction for the succeeding June he was appointed “‘one 
of His Majesty’s Honourable Council.” | 


1737/8, January 24, New York. 

Gould states that the earliest Lodge in New York “‘of 
which any record has been preserved was in full working 
order, and had probably existed for some time” before 
this day. 

IV Gould 260. 


1737/8, January 25, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. James Carrel Tabbs and 
Thomas Walker made and Brother John Hutchinson 
admitted. 

nel E, 


1737/8, January 26, Charleston, S. C. 
In the South Carolina Gazette for this day we find 
the following important record: 


“We hear that at Mr. William Flud’s, at the fign of 
the Harp and Crown, is held a Lodge of the Ancient and 
Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Mafons, be- 
longing to the Lodge of St. John. Dr. Newman Ogle- 
thorpe being chofen Mafter.”’ 


Mackey’s “History of Freemasonry in South Caro- 
lina’”’ comments interestingly upon this item of news as 
follows: 


1737 189 


“Perfectly to understand the character of this Lodge, 
it will be necessary to refer to the history of Masonry in 
another part of the Continent. In the year 1733, Vis- 
count Montacute, then Grand Master of England, 
granted a Warrant, or more properly a Deputation, ap- 
pointing Henry Price, of Boston, Provincial Grand Mas- 
ter of North America. Under this authority he opened 
a Provincial Grand Lodge in Boston on the 30th of July, 
1733, and appointed his Deputy and Wardens. The 
Grand Lodge thus organized, assumed and was recog- 
nized by the appellation of ‘St. John’s Grand Lodge,’ 
and proceeded to grant Warrants for instituting regular 
Lodges in various parts of North America. Webb,” 
from whom this account is taken, mentions South Caro- 
lina as one of the places in which these new Lodges were 
instituted. But until I met with the paragraph above 
cited from the Carolina Gazette I had found no other 
account of the Lodge instituted in South Carolina by St. 
John’s Grand Lodge of Boston, than the mere announce- 
ment in Webb’s Monitor that such a Lodge had been 
constituted. There is, however, no longer any doubt 
that the Lodge said to have been held in 1738 in Charles- 
town, at ‘the Harp and Crown,’ received its warrant 
from St. John’s Grand Lodge of Boston, and hence the 
journalist calls it a ‘Lodge of St. John.’ The phraseol- 
ogy of the paragraph seems to indicate that it had an 
existence anterior to the date of the notice. It was 
probably organized late in the year 1737, and was thus 
the second Lodge established in the Province. But as 
its Constitution was manifestly an interference with the 
prerogatives and jurisdiction of the Provincial Grand 
Lodge, it must have been soon abandoned, and hence it 
is that we find no further account of it in the subsequent 
Masonic proceedings of the Province.” 

See page 146. 


1737/8, January 31, Antigua. 


Lodge Constituted at Parham, Antigua, first given in 
1 Webb’s Monitor, Ed. 1808, p. 299. 


190 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


the Official English List for 1740, appearing as No. 154. 
P.C. (2nd Eng. Ed.) 378. 
Pnticka( | /5Opbawesa de 
L.M.R. 74. 
L.H.B. 40. 


1737/8, February 13. Boston. 
The Boston Evening Post copies from the London 
Magazine an article reading as follows: 


“This Writer fuppofes, that this Fraternity might as 
well be call’d the Society of Carpenters, Joiners, 
Chimney-Sweepers, or Rat-Catchers, as Mafons; and en- 
deavours to prove this parodoxical Truth, That the Ma- 
fons are no Mafons. 

Agatharcbus the Athenian, Archimedes, Virtruvius, &c 
as well as the later Architects and Mathematicians, have 
deliver’'d their Knowledge in this Science freely, gen- 
erally and publickly. How then can this be the Art, that 
is kept fecret in the Breafts of the Members of the mod- 
ern Lodges? as the Constitution Book affects, that altho’ 
this Society is poffefs’d of many Arts (curious ones, no 
doubt) yet do they dwell fecurely in the Breafts of the 
Brethren. 

Nor does it appear by their Performances, that they 
are taught in the Lodges to hew, mould ftone, lay a 
Level, or raife a Perpendicular. How then can they 
be faid to be Mafons? Is a Drawer a Mafon, becaufe 
he keeps his Reckoning fquare? Or a Tinker, becaufe 
he rings his Kettle by Rule? If a Lawyer can compofe 
his Caufe, or a Bookfetter erect monumental Volumes; 
if a Porter ftand {trong as a Coloffus, and an Apothe- 
cary can temper his electuarial Mortars and Cements, 
to new-frame, and, as it were, rebuild our animate edi- 
fices: Yet cannot'.[ perceive the }leaft® Tinctnremor 
Vitruvifm, Euclidifm, or Burlingtonism in any of thefe. 

Laftly, if the Art of Mafonry be really and truly 


1737 191 


vefted in this Society, how comes it to pafs, that the 
Brethren build no better than fome of the monied Gen- 
try among the Grubs, who, I own, feldom build any 
Thing but Caftles in the Air? 

Having thus shewn what they are not, let us confider 
what they are, and from whence the Word Mafon, as 
applied to this Club, may be corrupted. The Society I 
allow to be a very antient one; and, I believe, they will 
not thank me for acknowledging, that fuch a {trange 
Society may have been even as old as Chaucer; in whofe 
Dayes the Word mafe was ufed to fignify a Whim, or 
Fancy; And what could be more natural, than to diftin- 
guifh a Society by this Name, which hath fo many 
peculiar whimfical Oddities? Doubt not then candid 
Bavy that the Word Mafon is a corruption of this Mafe; 
Which will appear {till more probable, if thou wilt take a 
Ride or Walk to Devonshire; where, to this Day they 
call any Perfon whom they imagine to be mad, a Mafe, 
or Maze, Man or Woman. Some wicked Perfons, I 
know, would derive this Name from the popifh Mafe, 
which, I own is of very intricate Nature: Yet muift I 
reject {uch a malevolent Suppofition, if it was only be- 
caufe so many zealous Protestants, nay even Jews, the 
conftant Enemies to Tranfubftantiation, are accepted 
Brethren. 

A. H. FaGase 
gt 


1737/8, February 14, Philadelphia. 

The Philadelphia Gazette publishes an account of the 
trial of those concerned in the mock initiation in Phila- 
delphia which is copied in part in the Boston Evening 
Post for March 6th, znfra (q.v.), the New England 
Weekly Journal for March 7th, and the Boston Weekly 
News Letter for March 9th. 

The American Weekly Mercury published February 
14th, at Philadelphia starts an anti-Masonic campaign 


192 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


by a letter based upon the events of the trial. Franklin 
in the Gazette of the same date (though issued the next 
day ) replies. 

Bradford in the Mercury is so bitter that he even re- 
fers to a band of negro thieves as a Lodge of Free Ma- 
sons, and, utterly without foundation, accuses Franklin 
of conniving in the mock initiation. 


1737/8, February 21, Philadelphia. 

The Pennsylvania Gazette publishes an account of a 
Masonic Celebration in Charleston, S. C., and a notice of 
a Lodge in New York. 

In the American Weekly Mercury is a rejoinder to 
Franklin’s reply of February 14th. 


1737/8, February 23. Boston. 


The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes the follow- 
ing in an extract of a letter from Paris repeated from 
London under date of October 5, 1737, viz.: 


“You have no doubt the Account of an Act of arbi- 
trary Power of a very high Strain, I mean the forcing 
open the Doors of the French Free Mafons Lodge here 
by the Lieutenant-General of Police. Various are the 
Difcourfes upon this Occafion: Some fay that the Inqui- 
{ition of Florence has tortur’d out Confeffions from the 
Brethren of the Order imprifon’d fome Weeks ago in 
that City, and fent our Court an Account of their Dif- 
coveries; but whether there is any Truth or not in this 
Report, the Clergy here have decided open War again{ft 
all Free-Mafonry, and upon this Declaration of the 
Clergy, the People look upon all Free-Mafons to be rank 
Hereticks, and dangerous to common Society. But, not 
to lay any Strefs on thefe Opinions, the Free-Mafons 


1737 193 


were doubtlefs a Parcel of Madmen, to think of eftab- 
lifhing Lodges under an arbitrary Government, efpecially 
in any Country where there is an Inquifition or a Baf- 
tile.” 

Pt. 


1737/8, March 6, Boston. 
The Boston Evening Post quotes from the Pennsyl- 
vania Gazette the article referred to under date of Feb- 


ruary 14, 1737/8, szpra, as follows: 
“Philadelphia, Feb. 7. On Wednefday laft, at the 


Court of Oyer and Terminer then fitting here, came on 
the Trial of Evan Jones, Chymift, for being a Principal 
concern’d in the death of D. R. a young Man who had 
been his Apprentice, and was but juft free, in June laft. 
The Trial began at Nine o’Clock in the Forenoon, anc 
lafted till almoft Two next Morning. The Jury found 
him guilty of Manflaughter, and he was accordingly 
burnt in the Hand, and order’d to find sufficient Security 
for his good Behaviour. There was the greateft Throng 
of People to hear the Trial, that perhaps ever appear’d 
at any Trial in this Province. By the Evidence, fome 
of whom were deeply concern’d in the Affair, it appear’d, 
That the Deceafed, having made known to his Mafter 
his Defires of being a Free-Mafon, he and fome of his 
Affociates, contriv’d to make themfelves Mirth, by im- 
pofing on the young Fellow, and making him believe 
that they were Free-Mafons: The unwary young Man 
was too foon prevail’d with to believe them, fuffer’d fuch 
Impofitions (befide that of his Treating them) as at 
length terminated in his Death. He was perfuaded to 
repeat, after one of the Company, what was call’d an 
Oath of Secrecy, but as vile, {tupid, and prophane (to 
fay no worfe of it) as ever was invented; after which, 
he being Blindfold, they gave him Phyfick to Drink; 
and then led him to, and made him Kifs, the bare Pof- 
teriors of one of their Company. After all this, viz. on 


194 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


the 13th of June, at Evening, the Company, who call’d 
themfelves a Lodge, met again, at Dr. Jone’s, in order, 
as the Deceafed was made to believe, to make him a com- 
pleat Free-Mafon. After Supper, the Company retir’d 
to the Cellar, and then this unhappy Perfon was led 
down blindfold to them, and there unveil’d: They had 
prepar’d a Pan of burning Spirits, with Raifins at the 
Bottom, and were ftanding round, dipping in their 
Hands for the Raifins, and flirting the Flames about. 
This was call’d Snap-Dragon. One of the Company 
was wrap’d in a Hide to represent the Devil, which, with 
the {trange Countenances that the Light of the burning 
Spirits caus’d, made Things there look ghaftly, frightful, 
devilifh. However, this it seems did not terrify him as 
was expected, and he had not been long in the Cellar, 
when the whole Pan of burning Spirits was thrown on 
him, at which he cry’d out, Mafter, ?m kill’d, ?’m kill’d; 
and, notwithstanding they immediately {trove to extin- 
cuifh the Flames, he was fcorch’d to that Degree that 
he died on the 16th of the fame Month, in a miferable 
Manner. It was {worn, that the Doctor was the Perfon 
who flung or {pilt the Liquor; but no premeditated 
Malice could be proved, fo he came off with only burning 
in the Hand, as before related. 

And on Thurfday F—R—g—n, Attorney at Law, and 
E—W-— Taylor, were tried for being prefent at, and 
concern’d in, the faid Affair. The former was found 
Guilty of Manflaughter, but was pardon’d. The other 
the Jury acquitted.” 

Pott 
See also Boston Weekly News Letter for 
March 16, 1737/8. 





1737/8, March 7, Boston. 
The New England Weekly Journal publishes the ac- 
count quoted under 1737/8, March 6, supra. 
Pp-t. 


1737 195 


1737/8, March 9, Boston. 
The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes the account 
last referred to. 
P-t. 


1737/8, March 13, Boston—Nova Scotia. 
The Boston Gazette publishes the following para- 
graph: 


“We are inform’d That Major Phillips is Appointed 
Provincial Grand Maf{ter over the Free and Accepted 
Mafons, in the Province of Nova Scotia, and that a 
Deputation is getting ready for that purpofe.” 

P=t: 
See 1739, April 11, énfra. 

It has been heretofore thought that the above appoint- 
ment was made about 1740. 


Erasmus James Phillips. 

Erasmus James Philipps (Phillips), the first Pro- 
vincial Grand Master of Nova Scotia, was a nephew of 
Col. Richard Philipps, Governor of Nova Scotia from 
1716 to 1749, being a son of his brother Erasmus, and 
was born April 23, 1705. The father, Erasmus, was 
the Captain of the “Blandford,” a frigate lost with all 
hands in March, 1719. 

Erasmus James entered the 40th regiment of Foot 
when a young man and was successively ensign, lieu- 
tenant, captain and major. This regiment, known as 
“the Fighting Fortieth,’ was organized at Annapolis on 
August 25, 1717 (its first Colonel being Col. Richard 
Philipps) and garrisoned the fort from that year until 
1755 and probably till 1758, when it formed part of 
the expedition against Louisburg. 


196 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


While an ensign in 1726, Philipps was selected by the 
acting governor, with Captain Joseph Bennett of the 
same regiment, to accompany the French deputies to 
Minas to tender oaths of allegiance to the habitans in 
that district. Owing to the prevalence of unfavourable 
weather they failed to reach the settlements there and 
the matter was postponed to a future day. 

On February 23rd, 1729, he was appointed Advocate 
of the Vice-Admiralty of the Province of Nova Scotia or 
Acadia by the British Government, a position which he 
held until July, 1749. 

The minutes of the Council of the Province, held at 
Annapolis Royal on December 7th, 1730, record that 
“His Excellency likewise acquainted ye Board that there 
not being Councillors enough upon ye spot to make up a 
Quorum he thought proper, with their advice to appoint 
Mr. Eras. Jas. Philipps a member thereof, who was 
sworn accordingly.” He seems to have acted as Secre- 
tary of the Council for several months, and continued 
a member of the Council until his death in 1760. 

In November, 1734, Philipps and thirty-five others, 
including all the members of the Government in England 
and of the Council of the Province, were made pro- 
prietors and patentees of some mines discovered in the 
Province, ‘‘as a Recompense of their many years Service 
at this Board.” Such a resolution in these days would 
be regarded with some suspicion and would be the sub- 
ject of investigation, but none of the proprietors seem 
to have grown rich as a result of their action. 

In August, 1736, a grant was made to Philipps (at 
that time Captain in the 40th Regiment) and others of 
50,000 acres of land ‘‘at Norwich, in the County of 
Norfolk, in Nova Scotia.”’ This tract of land was situ- 


1737 197 


ated at or near Chignecto, in what is now Cumberland 
County and was afterwards escheated and revested in 
the Crown in 1760. 

In the archives of New Hampshire under date of 
August Ist, 1737, there is a record to the effect that Dr. 
W. Skene, E. J. Philipps and Otho Hamilton of H. M. 
Council of Nova Scotia, met at Hampton, N. H., with 
four commissioners from Rhode Island to mark out and 
settle the boundaries between the Province of Massachu- 
setts Bay and the Colony of Rhode Island. He was in 
Boston from August, 1737, to June, 1738. A later com- 
mission, dated September 4, 1740, reappointed the same 
commissioners and several others for a similar purpose. 
He left Annapolis for New England in April, 1741, 
and was at Providence, Rhode Island, until June, 
1741. 

About 1740 he married Ann, eldest daughter of John 
Dyson and Alice his wife, by whom he had four chil- 
dren, Ann, who married Col. Robert Fenwick, R. A.; 
John Erasmus, born at Annapolis, April 30, 1741, Capt. 
35th Regiment, died at New York, December, 1776; 
Elizabeth, who married Capt. Horatio Gates; and Doro- 
thy, unmarried. 

In the fall of 1746, the government decided on the 
military occupation of Grand Pré and a detachment of 
470 men of the Massachusetts forces was sent to that 
place, disembarking on the day before Christmas day, 
where they were quartered on the inhabitants. The 
force was under the command of Colonel Arthur Noble 
and Major Philipps, and Edward How accompanied 
them as commissioner in charge of the administration of 
civil affairs and as commissary. The news of the occu- 
pation reached the French commander De Ramezay at 


198 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Chignecto on January 8, 1747, and he at once decided 
on an attack. A force of 300 men under Coulon de 
Villiers marched overland, reaching Grand Pré on Feb- 
tuary Ilth, and attacked the sleeping New England 
forces at night in a blinding snow storm. The battle 
which followed was perhaps the most stubbornly con- 
tested fight in the history of Acadia. Colonel Noble and 
his brother were killed, Edward How was wounded and 
taken prisoner and after several hours’ resistance during 
which the Massachusetts men fought in their shirts in 
hand-to-hand conflicts in the snow storm, with great 
losses, they capitulated on honourable terms at daybreak. 
They were allowed to march out of the village with the 
honours of war and permitted to retire to Annapolis, on 
making a declaration not to bear arms against the French 
for six months. 

After the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1749 we find 
Philipps among the claimants for compensation for 
losses sustained in consequence of the destruction of 
buildings torn down by the order of the Commander-in- 
Chief for the better defence of the place in the recent 
war. In the same year, 1749, Major Philipps resigned 
his office as King’s Advocate in the Court of Vice-Ad- 
miralty, giving as the reason that “it would henceforth 
be impossible for him to attend and execute the duties 
of said office.”’ He continued to live, however, at An- 
napolis. 

On the Ist January, 1751, Governor Cornwallis issued 
a special commission to Mr. Philipps as Judge of Pro- 
bate and Wills to prove the will of Edward How, who 
had been treacherously murdered by the French and 
Indians at Chignecto in October, 1750. The document 
sets forth that it is done ‘‘by reason of the distance be- 


1737 199 


tween Annapolis Royal and the said town of Halifax, 
the inclemency of the weather and the difficulty of trav- 
elling through the country at this time would be attended 
with great inconvenience and danger to the person or 
persons on whom the proof of the said Will depends.” 
In conclusion it required him “to transmit the original 
Will of the said Edward How together with this Com- 
mission and your proceedings thereon to me at Halifax 
as soon as convenient may be.” 

From 1753-60 Philipps was Commissary of Musters 
for the garrison at Annapolis. 

In 1758 he was honoured by a vote of thanks of the 
Council for services rendered in 1757 in making pris-. 
oners of a number of French habitans who having man- 
aged to avoid capture at the time of the expulsion of 
the Acadians had formed a temporary settlement on the 
shores of St. Mary’s Bay, Digby County. 

On the retirement of Mascarene, Major Philipps be- 
came commander of the forces at Annapolis, in which 
capacity he acted until his death, 1760. 

In 1759 Major Philipps was chosen a representative 
in the House of Assembly, for Annapolis County, Colonel 
Jonathan Hoar being his colleague, but his legislative 
career was of short duration, as he died suddenly of 
apoplexy at Halifax in 1760, while on a visit to that 
town. 

Major Philipps was undoubtedly an able, energetic 
and efficient officer, in both his military and civil em- 
ployments and managed with judgment public affairs 
requiring the exercise of skill and tact, always acquitting 
himself with credit and success. 

Erasmus James Philipps, along with J. Sheriff, was 
made a Mason in The First Lodge at Boston, November 


200 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


14, 1737, on the occasion of his first visit as a commis- 
sioner to settle the boundaries of Massachusetts and 
Rhode Island. The records of this lodge also show his 
presence at meetings held on April 11, May 9, November 
28, December 26, 1739, and August 12, 1741. In the 
minutes of April, 1739, he appears as “Rt. Wpfull Bro’r 
Erasmus James Philipps, G. M. de Nov. Scot.” 

On his return to Annapolis in 1738 he established a 
lodge there which it is said was called the Annapolis 
Royal Lodge and Philipps was its first W. M. 

On June 12, 1750, the Hon. Edward Cornwallis and 
others at Halifax petitioned Erasmus James Philipps as 
Pro. G. M. for a warrant or deputation to establish a 
lodge at Halifax. The warrant was received and the 
first meeting held July 19, 1750, Cornwallis being the 
first Master. 

On March 18, 1751, the second lodge was formed at 
Halifax. 

On Dec. 27, 1757, a Grand Warrant, signed by the 
Earl of Blessington, G. M. of the “‘Antients’’ was issued 
to Philipps, probably without any request on his part, 
constituting him “Provincial Grand Master of Novia 
Scotia and the territories thereunto belonging.” This 
warrant was probably never acted upon, as Philipps’ 
original authority, that of the Grand Lodge of Massa- 
chusetts, was the authority of the “Modern” Grand 
Lodge of England. The warrant from the “Antients”’ 
was written by Lawrence Dermott, Grand Secretary, and 
neither it nor two lodge warrants accompanying it were 
ever acted upon by Philipps or any one else, but lay 
dormant until 1784 when the Provincial Grand Lodge of 
Nova Scotia was formed. 

On his death in 1760 Major Philipps was succeeded in 


1737 201 


his position of Pro. G. M. by the Hon. Jonathan Belcher, 
Lieut. Governor of the province. 

Major Philipps was thus the founder and first great 
figure of Freemasonry, not only in Nova Scotia, but in 
all of Canada. 

1 Nova Scotia Lodge of Research 44. 

1 Mass. 7. 

Ross’s History of Freemasonry in Nova Scotia, 
hee 

IV Gould 331. 

1 Robertson’s History of Freemasonry in Can- 


ada, 140-152. 


lia ee Maryland. 
There is a tradition of a Lodge at Georgetown, Md., 
during this year, but without any supporting evidence. 


IV Gould 262. 


Boston. 

It may be interesting to note in this connection that 
during this year Provincial Grand Master Henry Price’s 
portrait, the original of which has been destroyed by fire, 
although copies are preserved, was painted. 

1871 Mass. 285, 295. 


See frontispiece. 


Antigua. 

Some time during this year Provincial Grand Master 
Thomlinson while at Antigua found some old Boston 
Masons and went to work, making the Governor and 
sundry other gentlemen of distinction Masons. 

| Mass. 6. 
L.M.R. 483. 
See page 117. 


202 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Cape Breton, Louisburg and West Indies. 

There is a record in a registry book of the Grand 
Lodge of England, that in 1737 William Douglas, Com- 
mander of H.M.S. Falmouth, was appointed Provincial 
Grand Master for the coast of Africa and the islands of 
America, and Capt. Robert Comins (Commins; Cumins) 
for Cape Breton and Louisburg. What was meant by 
the islands of America was, of course, the West Indies, 
where Commander Douglas touched now and then in the 
discharge of his naval activities. 


See closing items of Chapters XII and XX. 


CHAPTER XII 
1738 


1738, April 6, South Carolina. 
“John Hammerton, Esq., P.G.M. of S. Carolina,” vis- 
ited the Grand Lodge of England. 
De) GIA 2957 
Anderson (Ed. 1738) 138. 


1738, April 13, Philadelphia. 

Benjamin Franklin writes a letter, the original of 
which is still preserved, to his father and mother that 
they are unduly exercised and that Freemasons “have no 
principles or practices that are inconsistent with religion 
and good manners.” 

See Franklin’s “Common-place Book’’ in the 
Dreer Collection of the Historical Society 
of Pennsylvania. 


1738, April 18, Boston. 
The New England Weekly Journal published under 
its news from London: 


“We hear that the principal Members of the Society 
of Free and Accepted Mafons intend to wait on the 
Prince of Wales, with an humble Requeft to his Royal 
Highnefs, to accept of the Grand Mafterfhip of that 
Ancient and Honourable Body for the Year enfuing.” 

P=t 
203 


204 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1738, April 26, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Ebenezer Swan made. 
P.L. 
1738, May 21, New York. 


Provincial Grand Master Riggs’ arrival at New York 
is announced in the New York Gazette for this date. 


1738. .)0ne 2, Philadelphia. 

The last known meeting of the Lodge at Philadelphia, 
about which we have learned much from “Libr B,”’ oc- 
curs on this date. 


L.B. 


1738, June 24, Boston. 
Celebration of the Festival. Benjamin Hallowell 
chosen Master of the First Lodge. 
1 Mass. 6. 


Savannah, Ga. 

Rev. George Whitefield in his journal records under 
this date, ““Was enabled to read prayer and preach with 
power before the Freemasons, with whom I afterwards 
dined.” 

Whitefield’s Journal. 
Mackey 1518. 
IV Gould 261. 


Philadelphia. 

The Pennsylvania Gazette for July 6, 1738, recounts 
the choosing of Joseph Shippen as Grand Master of 
Pennsylvania at a Grand Lodge held at the Indian King 
this day and the last entry in “Libr B” bears this date. 


1738 208 


The prejudice induced by the mock initiation hereto- 
fore referred to was so great that the activities of the 
Fraternity in Pennsylvania utterly ceased so far as we 
can learn until June 28, 1749, (g.v.) with the exception 
of a single meeting June 24, 1741 (¢.v.). 

See also 

1914 Mass. 262. 
1906 Mass. 90. 
1903 Mass. 49. 


Joseph Shippen. 

The Joseph Shippen here mentioned was undoubtedly 
Joseph Shippen, Jr., born November 28, 1706, a son of 
Joseph Shippen, a son of the president of the Provincial 
Council and first Mayor of Philadelphia under Penn’s 
Charter of October 25, 1702. He went in the family by 
the name of “Gentleman Joe.” He served as Junior 
Grand Warden in 1735, Senior Grand Warden in 1736, 
Deputy Grand Master in 1737, Grand Master in 1738. 
He was elected, October 5, 1742, to the City Council, in 
which he served for many years. In 1755, he again 
served as Junior Grand Warden. He subsequently re- 
moved to Germantown. He died in 1793, and was 
buried in Christ Church burying ground. 

1 O.M.L.P. 42. 


1738, June 26, New York. 

The New York Gazette publishes a song for the Free- 
masons and a parody on the same for the ladies. They 
are not worth reprinting, but they never would have 
found their way into a newspaper unless Freemasonry 
had become enough of an element in the life of the city 
to attract public attention. 


206 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1738, August 3, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. John Cunningham made. 
P.L. 
1738, August 23, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. John Cunningham ad- 
mitted. 
BAL; 


1738, August 28, Boston. 
The Boston Evening Post publishes the following 
paragraph: 


“A Conftitution by the Pope is publifhed at Rome, 
which forbids the affociating of the Free Mafons upon 
Pain of Excommunication; and that in the mean time 
thofe Societies at Florence and Leghorn which were fup- 
prefs’d in the Reign of the late Duke, have open’d their 
Lodges again without fear of the Inquifition, becaufe the 
Prefent Great Duke is a Brother; and they write from 
Con{tantinople, Smyrna, and Aleppo, that the Societies 
there are very much increafed; and that they have ad- 
mitted feveral Turks of Diftinction.” 

Taal 


1738, September 11, Boston. 
The Boston Evening Post publishes the following: 


“They write from Florence, that the Pope judging the 
Fraternity of the Free Mafons to be highly deferving of 
the Ecclefiaftical Cenfures, his Hollinefs has iffued a 
Bull of Excommunication againft that Society, the sub- 
{tance of which is as follows: 

In the midft of the Cares of the Apoftlefhip, and the 
continued Attention we have to extirpate Herefies, and 
maintain the Lord’s Vineyard in all its Purity; we have 





JOSEPH SHIPPEN 





1738 207 


heard with Grief and Bitternefs of Soul, that a certain 
Society, who {tile themfselves the Fraternity of Free 
Mafons, after making Progrefs in several States in Eu- 
rope, have likewife {pread into Italy, and even had fome 
Increafe. We have confidered that the impenetrable 
Secret of this fo Myfterious Society is the effential Part, 
and as it were the Batis of its Inftitution; and that being 
thereby become fufpicious to the Temporal Powers, fev- 
eral of them have profcribed it in their Dominions. We 
have likewife confider’d, that by much {tronger Reafons 
it ought to be fufpicious to the Spiritual Power, whofe 
Charge it is to have an ever watchful Eye to every Thing 
that may concern the Salvation of Souls. For thefe 
Reafons, and animated by our Paftoral Care, we have 
condemn’d, and do condemn by the prefent Bull the So- 
cieties of Free Mafons, as perverfe, contrary to publick 
Order, and having incurr’d the Major Excommunication 
in its utmoft Extent, forbidding all Perfons, of what 
Rank, Quality, or Condition foever, who profefs the 
Catholick Apoftolick, and Roman Religion, to caufe 
themfelves to be written down, or received into that So- 
ciety, to frequent any of its Members, or hold Corre- 
{pondence with them, or to fuffer or tolerate any Af- 
femblies of Free Mafons in their Houfes, under Penalty 
to the Contraveners of incurring likewife the faid Ex- 
communication ; referving to ourfelves alone the Right of 
taking it off, except in Cafe of Death, &c. 


Given at Rome, May 29, 1738.” 
iets 


~ 


1738, September 18, — Boston. 
The Boston Evening Post publishes the following: 


“Letter from Florence, dated May 24. 
The Free Mafons Lodges which had been interdicted 
here, during the Life of the late Great Duke, are now held 
again with all the Liberty and Freedom imaginable; and 
without any Dread of the Inquifition, which has no 


208 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Right to attack a Society of which the new Sovereign is 
a Member. (This is falfe Logick; a Sovereign may be a 
Member of a very illegal and evil Society: But the Strefs 
lies in this point; the Inquifition has Power over the 
Sovereign himfelf in Matters of Religion, Etc. ) 

The Free Mafons of Leghorn have alfo re-open’d 
their Lodges; and we hear from Con{tantinople, that the 
Lodges at smyrna & Aleppo are greatly encreas’d, and 
that feveral Turks of Diftinction have been admitted 
into them. This is falfe again; the Free Mafons fure 
are Men of too much Honour, Religion and Good-Senfe, 
to receive the declar’'d Enemies of Jefus Chrift into their 
Society.” 

Veena 


1738, September 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. John Tanner made. 
els 


1738, October, Boston. 
Pro. G. M. Tomlinson sails for England by way of 
Antigua. 
1 Mass. 6. 


1738, October 9, Boston. 

The Boston Gazette publishes an elaborate account of 
the laying of the Corner-stone of the new Royal 
Infirmary at Edinburgh, Scotland, by the Fraternity on 
August 2, 1738. 

aii, 


1738, October 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Alexander 
Woodrop and Alexander Bowman admitted. 
Pale 


1738 209 


1738, November 8, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Peter Pelham made. 
eed by 
Re Peter Pelham, see 1744, August 8. 


1738, November 22, Antigua. 

On this date a Lodge was Constituted at St. John, 
Antigua. This became “The Great Lodge” April 4, 
1744, @.v. 

OE. 

L.M.R. 81. 

Entick (1756 Ed.) 337. 
P.C. (2nd Eng. Ed.) 378. 
Prichard 28. 


1738, December 9, Boston. 

The accounts of the Masters Lodge which are written 
in the back of their First Book of Records begin by show- 
ing that upon this date there was bought of Beteilhe & 
Price “4 yds. Green Coating and 3 1-4 yds. Scarlet 
Riband,” in preparation for Institution. 

OTe AB: 

The members of this firm from 1736 to 1741 were 

Francis Beteilhe and Henry Price. 


1738, December 22, — Boston. 
The Masters Lodge was constituted on this date, and 
Regulations or By-Laws were offered by a committee. 
The original record book of this Lodge beginning on 
this day is in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Massa- 
chusetts. On its first pages it bears the report of this 


210 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


committee and annexed thereto are the original signatures 
of Hallowell, Oxnard, and Overing. 

O.R. 

See also O.R. for December 7, 1753. 


See page 33. 


1738, December 27. Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge in Boston. The earliest 
original records of the First Lodge in Boston now known 
to have been preserved begin on this date with the “VI” 
meeting of the quarter. 


The volume is a folio of two hundred and seventy 
pages bound in sheepskin. ‘The secretary evidently felt 
the importance of his position and the dignity of the 
Lodge because this book is quite an elaborate affair. The 
fly leaf bears the following inscription set forth in im- 
posing text: 


THIS 
BOOK OF REGISTERS 
BELONGING TO THE ANCIENT AND HON?!®, socIETY OF 
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS 
IN 
BOSTON NEW ENGLAND 
WAS PRESENTED BY 
BRO’. THOMAS WALKER, SENIOR WARDEN. 


Anno Domini 1738, 
And of Masonry 5738. 


Then follows a copy of the Deputation of Henry 
Price. Next are the quaint and curious By-Laws begin- 
ning: 


1738 211 


“The following Regulations or By-Laws were unani- 
mously Voted and agreed upon by the Brethren of the 
first Constituted Lodge in Boston New England at their 
Meeting October 24, 1733-5733 and are as follows. . . . 
Viz.” 

See page 104, supra. 


Next is a copy of the deputation granted by the Earl 
of Loudoun December 7, 1736, as Grand Master of Eng- 
land, to Robert Thomlinson, as successor of Henry Price. 

This is followed by the record of a meeting of 
the Lodge, being the “VI” meeting of the quarter. The 
secretary during the first year was Ebenezer Swan, a 
school master. We should have expected better chirog- 
raphy from a school master. Swan was succeeded by 
Peter Pelham as secretary on December 26, 1739, g.v. 
The Lodge opened a new account book on this date also, 
the first entry being ‘‘to a Ball®° brought from a former 
book,”’ etc. 

O.R.; A.B. 
See page 33. 
1883 Mass. 159. 
1900 Mass. 126. 
The Grand Lodge also celebrated the Festival. 
1 Mass. 6. 


Charleston, South Carolina. 
The South Carolina Gazette for December 28, 1738, 
contains the following interesting account of the cele- 
bration of the festival: 


“Yefterday being the Feftival of St. John the Evan- 
gelift, the day was ufhered in with firing of guns at fun- 


212 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


rife from feveral {hips in the harbour, with all their 
colours flying. At 9 o’clock all the members of Solo- 
mon’s Lodge, belonging to the Ancient and Honourable 
Order of Free and Accepted Mafons, met at the houfe 
of the Honourable James Crokatt, Efg., Mafter of the 
faid Lodge, and at 10, proceeded from thence, properly 
clothed with the Enfigns of their Order, and Mufic be- 
fore them, to the houfe of the Provincial Grand Mafter, 
James Graeme, Efgq., where a Grand Lodge was held, 
and James Wright, Efg., elected Provincial Grand Maf- 
ter for the enfuing year, then the following officers were 
chofen, viz: Maurice Lewis, Efg., Deputy Provincial 
Grand Mafter; Mr. George Seaman, Senior Grand War- 
den; James Graeme, Efg., Junior Grand Warden; James 
Michie, Efg., Grand Treasurer, and Mr. James Gordon, 
Grand Secretary. 

At 11 o’clock, both Lodges went in procefsion to 
Church to attend Divine Service, and in the same order 
returned to the houfe of Mr. Charles Shepheard, where, in 
the Court-room, to a numerous afsembly of ladies and 
gentlemen, the newly elected Provincial Grand Mafter 
made a very eloquent fpeech of the ufefulnefs of fo- 
cieties, and the benefit arifing therefrom to mankind. 
The afsembly having been difmifsed, Solomon’s Lodge 
proceeded to the election of their officers for the enfuing 
year, when Mr. John Houghton was chofen Mafter; 
Dr. John Lining, Senior Warden; Mr. David McClellan, 
Junior Warden; Mr. Arthur Strahan, Secretary, and Mr. 
Alexander Murrary, Treafurer. After an elegant dinner 
all the brethren were invited by Capt. Thomas White 
on board the Hope; there feveral loyal healths were 
drank, and at their coming on board and return to fhore, 
they were faluted by the difcharge of 39 guns, being 
the fame number obferved in each of the different fa- 
lutes of this day, so that in all there were about 250 guns 
fired. The evening was concluded with a ball and en- 
tertainment for the ladies, and the whole was performed 
with much grandeur and decorum.” 
























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FACSIMILE OF PAGE OF RECORDS OF FIRST LODGE 
IN BOSTON FOR DECEMBER 1738 AND JANUARY 1738/9 





1738 213 


James Wright. 

James Wright was of eminent ancestry. His grand- 
father, Sir Robert Wright, Knight, was Chief Justice of 
the Court of King’s Bench in the time of James II. His 
grandmother was the daughter of Matthew Wren, Lord 
Bishop of Ely, nephew of Sir Christopher Wren. 

James’ father was born in South Carolina, of which 
province his father, the Honourable Robert Wright, was 
Chief Justice. At an early age he was appointed At- 
torney General of the colony and ably discharged the 
duties of that office for twenty-one years. 

In October, 1760, he went to Georgia as Lieutenant- 
Governor, where he served with distinguished ability, 
being granted full executive powers as Captain-General 
and Governor-in-Chief, March 20, 1761. He was an 
ardent loyalist, dissolving the Assembly instantly upon 
its signifying approval of the letters from Massachu- 
setts and Virginia. For his zeal, wisdom and prudence 
he was created a Baronet in 1772 while on a visit to Great 
Britain. He deserved the honour. 


“Diligent in his official duties, firm in his resolves, 
loyal in his opinions, courteous in his manners, and pos- 
sessed of a vigorous and well-balanced mind, he was 
respected and loved by his people; and though he dif- 
fered from a majority of them, as to the cause of their 
distresses and the means of their removal, he never al- 
lowed himself to be betrayed into one act of violence, 
or into any course of outrage and revenge. The few 
years of his administration were the only happy ones 
Georgia had enjoyed and to his energy and devotedness 
may be attributed its civil and commercial prosperity.” 


Upon the breaking out of the Revolution he was 
arrested, but escaped and sailed for England. Later he 


214 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


returned and re-established Royal government in 1779, 
but finally when all of Georgia except the City of Sa- 
vannah was in American hands, Wright received orders, 
June 14, 1782, to evacuate the province, which he did. 

He was adjudged guilty of high treason to the State 
of Georgia and his property to the amount of about 
$160,000 was confiscated. He was made President of 
the Board of Agents of the Loyalists in their attempt 
to gain reimbursement for their losses and the Parlia- 
mentary Commissioners reported in his favour, among 
others. 

Sir James did not long survive his political misfor- 
tunes, as he died in England in 1786. 

2 Stevens’ History of Georgia, 18 et seq. 


1738/9, January 2, Boston. 

This is the date of the first regular meeting of the 
Masters Lodge, which had been Constituted December 
22, 1738, g.v. It has been stated erroneously that it was 
founded this day. Some similar condition of affairs un- 
doubtedly accounts for the dates of July 30 and August 
31, 1733, having been assigned at different times as the 
Constitution of the First Lodge in Boston. Of the Mas- 
ters Lodge, Henry Price was the first Master and Francis 
Beteilhe the first Secretary. 

O.R.; A.B. 
1 Mass. 7. 
16 M.F.M. 135. 
1871 Mass. 317. 

With this date and until July 6, 1753, the Treasurer’s 
accounts of the Masters Lodge are to be found in detail 
in the back of the original record book. 

A.B. 


1738 215 


1738/9, January 10, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Leonard Lockman made. 
OTA neg cd og Breas a of 


1738/9, January 22, New York. 

There is an advertisement in the Vew York Gazette 
announcing that the Lodge will for the future be held at 
the Montgomerie Arms Tavern. ‘This would indicate 
that it had been meeting elsewhere for some time past. 
This Lodge was never shown upon the Official Lists. 

L.M.R. 478. 


1738/9, January 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1738/9, January 31. 

Robert Tomlinson, Esq., Provincial Grand Master of 
New England, attended a meeting of the Grand Lodge 
of England held at the Devil Tavern near Temple Bar. 
This communication was attended by many noted Ma- 
sons, among whom were the Grand Master, the Marquis 
of Carnarvon; John Payne, Esq.; John Theophilus 
Desaguliers; The Earl of Darnley; Martin Clare; Past 
Grand Master the Earl of Loudoun from whom Tom- 
linson’s commission had come; and John Hammerton, 
Esq., Provincial Grand Master of South Carolina. 

RIO CAL B00. 


1738/9, February 2, Boston. 

The Boston Gazette for February 5 published the fol- 
lowing article evidently intended as an answer to some 
criticisms of our Fraternity, véz.- 


216 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


“To the Publifher of the Bofton Gazette, 
SIR, 

By inferting the following Lines in your Paper, you 
will greatly oblige your conftant Readers and humble 
Servants; 

oh bin) 

Homo ad Societatem natus, St. Augustin 

Man is a focial Creature, and cannot poffibly enjoy 
any Comfort or Happinefs in a reclufe and retired Life, 
entirely deprived of Converfation or Society; for it is 
that which f{weetens Life unto us and renders us fit for 
Converfe with Heav’n. By exercifing our Tho’ts, and 
by communicating that Knowledge we are invefted with 
to our Fellow-Creatures, we not only oblige ourfelves, 
but them; For we by thinking furnifh our Minds with 
more Knowledge, and by communicating to our Fellow 
Creatures we aftord them Aid in their Search after Truth. 
And as no one will deny but that this 1s a glorious Prac- 
tice, fo they muft allow that the Way for executing it 
mu{t be by Society, for without it what would become 
of the Minds of Men? Even the Body which is only 
the cortex of the Man could not fubfift without it. But 
then, How much greater Care ought to be taken of the 
Mind, which would inevitably fuffer without it, and 
come to nothing, but Unhappinefs and Confufion? 

And is this the Cafe that we mu{t be in without So- 
ciety? Let every Lover of Reafon then {tir himfelf up, 
and put forth all his Powers for fetting up fuch Societies 
for the invefting the Mind with Learning and true 
Knowledge. And if there are already any fuch Societies 
{et up among us, let the Members of fuch Societies con- 
fider that the Ends of Society is the good of the Perfons 
af{fociated, and that the keeping private the Secrets of 
{uch Societies is doing a great Benefit to the Society to 
which they belong. For it is to be fuppofed by all Men 
of Reafon, that every Society is governed by fome Law 
or other, and that the Members are to keep them with all 


1738 217 


Care. But let the ignorant and unthinking Part of Man- 
kind fpit out all their Malice and Fury, and call Society 
to Task for their convening together; the Way they fhall 
be anfwered is according to the Advice of Solomon the 
wifeft of Men—an{fwer not a Fool according to his Folly, 
left he be wife in his own Conceit. 
Bofton, Feb. 
Mah 849: Philo-Mathes.”’ 
Rent 


1738/9, February 6, — Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. George Monerieft 
(Moncrief) raised. 
Orns AB: 
The Treasurer’s account for this day shows the pure 
chase and engraving of Jewels, Rods, etc. 


O.R. 


1738/9, February 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1738/9, February 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1738/9, March 6, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1738/9, March 14 Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R. 


218 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Antigua. 
Baker’s Lodge constituted at St. John, Antigua. 
ON: 
Entick (1756 Ed.) 337. 
L.M.R. 79. 
Prichard 28. 

This Lodge as No. 164 first appears on the Official 
English List in 1740. On the same list another Lodge 
appears at St. John as No. 170. 

L.H.B. 40. 


1738, Annapolis. 
Annapolis Royal Lodge constituted by Erasmus James 
Philipps, who became its first Master. 


Cape Breton, Louisburg and West Indies. 

The entry referred to under 1737 (page 202) is re- 
peated under 1738 with the words added ‘excepting 
such places where a Provincial Grand Master is already 
deputed.””» What Commander Douglas may have done 
is unknown, but it is reasonably certain that Comins 
never exercised his deputation, at least until after 1749. 
This limitation of his authority is evidence of the recog- 
nition of the Provincial Grand Mastership of Philipps 
for Nova Scotia. 

See closing items of Chapters XI and XX. 


CuaptTer XIII 
1739 
1739, March 28, Boston. 


Alexander Delavoux made. 


Op a pa ee) Baa 


1739, April 3, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
Coie ACD: 


1739, April 11, Boston—Nova Scotia. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. The records report the 
presence as a visitor of ‘““R‘ W.pfull Br°: Erasmus Ja’: 
Phillips G: M. De Nov: Scot?” 

O.R.; A.B. 
See page 195. 
For notes concerning Pro. G. M. Philipps see 
page 195, supra. 

Provincial Grand Master Robert Thomlinson of Bos- 

ton was in London, where this day he executed his will. 
For copy and record of its probate see page 


E72: 
1739, April 14, Jamaica. 
Lodge Constituted at Kingston, Jamaica. 
O.L: 
Entick (1756 Ed.) 337. 
L.M.R. 82. 


Prichard 28. 
219 


220 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1739, April 25, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 

1739, May, Boston. 


Pro. G. M. Thomlinson returns to Boston from Lon- 
don. 


1 Mass. 7. 
1739, May 1, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1739, May 9, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1739, May 15, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. William Morris 
made. 


ORE Pile Alb: 


1739, May 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Clement Vincent 
admitted. 


O.R.; A.B. 
1739, June 5, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1739, June 13, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Hugh McDaniel chosen 
Master. 
OPPs AIB: 
1 Mass. 7. 


1739 221 


1739, June 14, Boston. 
The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes the follow- 
ing passage, v2z.. 


“We hear from Rome, that about a Month fince, by 
Order of the Inquifition, was burnt there, in the open 
Place before the Church of Santa Maria fupra Minerva, 
with great Solemnity, a Piece wrote by the Chevalier 
Ramfay (Author of the Lives of Cyrus, Fenelon Arch- 
bifhop of Cambray, &c) in Defence of Free-Mafonry, 
(of which he was a member) entitled, Relation Apolo- 
gique et Hiftorique de la Secrets des Francs-Mafons, par 
J. G. D. M. F. M. A Dublin chez Patriae Odonoko, 
1738. This was publifhed at Paris in Anfwer to a pre- 
tended Catechi{m printed there by Order of the Lieu- 
tenant de Police, much of the fame Nature and Author- 
ity of that printed in Englifh by one Pritchard and 
paraded into the World by the fame folemn Oaths; 
though the one is as little credited as the other.” 

| eear 


1739, June 21, St. Christopher. 
The Mother Lodge held at Scotch Arms, Basseterre, 
St. Christopher, Constituted. 


@©2b. 
Entick (1756 Ed.) 337. 
L.M.R. 78. 

1739, June 22, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Capts. John Pringle and 
John Akins made. 
i ecuies ACB: 


1739, June 25, Boston. 
The Boston Evening Post contains the following para- 
graph: 


222 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


“We hear, that the Society of Free and Accepted Ma- 
fons belonging to the Lodge in this Town, intend to Mor- 
row in the Afternoon, to walk in Proceffion in all their 
Formalities, with a pair of Kettle Drums before them, 
from the South End of the Town, to the Houfe of Mr. 
Luke Vardy in Kingftreet, where a moft elegant Supper 
will be provided.” 

Pet 


1739, June 25, Savannah, Ga. 

William Stephens, who was sent to Savannah as “Sec- 
retary to the Trustees in Georgia,” wrote in his diary 
under this date: 


“Monday. This being the Grand Anniversary of the 
Free Masons every where (as it is said) the Brethren 
with us would not let it pass without due Observance. 
Mr. Norris accordingly was asked to give them a Sermon, 
which had been customary with his Predecessors; and he 
made them an ingenious Discourse, with a decent and 
proper application: From Church they marched in solemn 
Order to Dinner at a publick House, the Warden, Dr. 
Tailfer (who likes Pre-eminence as well as any Man) 
attended by four or five with Wands, and Red Ribbands 
in their Bosoms as Badges of their several Offices, took 
Place foremost; but the Train that followed in white 
Gloves and Aprons, amounted only to about Half a 
Dozen more; which some, who are apt to burlesque the 
Order, turned into Ridicule.” 

IV Colonial Records of Georgia, 361. 


1739, June 26, Boston. 

An account of the elaborate celebration of the Festival 
of Saint John the Baptist on this day appears in the Bos- 
ton Gazette for July 2, 1739, viz.: 


1739 223 


“Tuefday laft being the Day appointed by the Right 
Worthipfull Robert Thomlinson Grand Mafter of the 
ancient and honourable Society of the Free and Accepted 
Mafons, in and of New England, for the Celebration of 
a Feftival, in Commemoration of their Patron Saint John 
the Baptist: The fame was obferved here with the ut- 
moft Decency, and Solemnity, by the Gentlemen of that 
Society. 

At three in the Afternoon They affembled at the 
Houfe of their Brother John Wagborn, from whence 
they walk’d in Proceffion to His Excellency’s Houfe, 
properly Cloathed, and Diftinguifhed, with Badges, and 
other Implement pertaining to the feveral Orders and 
Degrees of the Society, proceeded by a Compleat band of 
Mutfick, confifting of Trumpets, Kettle Drums, &c. 

The Society was elegantly entertain’d at the Gov- 
ernour’s, from whence they walk’d in the fame Order 
with his Excellency their Brother, to their Brother 
Stephen Deblois Houfe, where they were entertain’d with 
a fine Concert of Mufick: After which they walk’d to 
the Royal Exchange Tavern in Kingftreet, where a 
fumptous Supper was provided, to which were invited 
many Gentlemen of Diftinction, Civil, and Military.” 

P-t. 
See also Boston Weekly News Letter for July 
De E739: 


The following account of the celebration in doggerel 
appeared in the American A pollo, a magazine printed in 
Boston, upon the first printing press manufactured in 
that city: 


“‘Messrs. Printers, 
The following historical scrap, wrétten by the late 
Joseph Green, Esq., claims a place in the Apollo. J. M. 
We insert this, by particular desire, according to the 
original form. 


224 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


A true and exact account of the celebration of the Festival 
of St. John the Baptist, by the Ancient and Honourable 
Society of Free and Accepted Masons, at Boston in 
New England, on June the 26th, 1739, taken 
from the Boston Gazette, and ren- 
dered into Metre, that chil- 
dren may commit it to 
and retain it in their 

memory. 


‘They might distinguish different noise 
Of horns, and pans, and dogs, and boys, 
And kettle drums whose sullen dub, 
Sounds like the hooping of a tub.’ 
Hupisras. 


{In Roman callendars we find, 

Saint John the Baptist’s feast assign’d, 
To June the twenty-fourth, and he, 

(For so all Masons do agree) 

A famous Lodge in days of old, 

In Jordan’s wilderness did hold. 

For this as legends us acquaint, 

They made a Patron, of the Saint; 

Right worshipful Bob THomrrnson,* 
Having ¢his duly thought upon; 

The Lodge on Tuesday last did call, 

To celebrate the festival; 

For June the twenty-fourth was Sunday, 
And Brother BetcHeEr ® fasts on Monday; 
So for the sake of eating dinner, 

He frick’d the Saint to please the Sinner, 
The Brethren, soon as this was known, 
All met to walk about the town. 


1 Robert Tomlinson, Provincial Grand Master. 
* His Excellency Jonathan Belcher, Esq., Governour of his Majesty’s 
Province of Massachusetts Bay. 


1739 225 


First Brother Wacuorn * was their choice, 
Waghorn of sounding fame and voice; 
At three, they to his house repair, 

And having staid a little there, 
Proceeded onwards through the street, 
Unto his Excellency’s seat; 

For as thts Waghorn was a Brother 

His Excellency was another. 

Unlucky name it grieves full sore, 
Waghorn and Belcher—but no more. 
Here, having drank and giv’n the sign, 
By which he was oblig’d to join, 

From hence in Jeather apron drest 

With tinsel 72bdons on their breast 

In pompous order march’d the ¢razn, 
First two, then three, then two again; 

As thro’ the street they pass’d along, 

All kinds of music led the throng; 
Trumpets and kettle drums were there, 
And horns too tn the front appear. 
Thus they went on thro’ various noises 
To hear them fiddle at DeBLOoIs’s— 
And thence came thro’ another street, 
To Brother Luxe’s” to drink and eat; 
For Luke was ordered to prepare, 
Plenty of every dainty fare; 

Tongues, hams, and lambs, green peas and chickens 
So that, in short, ’twas ‘pretty pickings.’ 
Girls left their needle, Boys their book, 
And crowded in the street to look; 

And if from Jaughing we guess right, 
They were much pleased with the sight. 
All this by land—now follows after 
The gallant show, upon the water. 

The ship, that HoLLowELt is named, 
From Hortowe tt, for building famed; 


1 Mr. Waghorn, Grand Sword Bearer. 
2 Luke Vardy, Innholder. 


226 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 
Of which their Brother Alexander 


French was part owner and Commander; 
Soon as appeared the Eastern Beam 
This ship, haul’d off into the stream, 
Red baize was tacked on the top, 

And all the colours hoisted up, 

And on the mizzen peak was spread, 
A leathern apron, \in’d with red. 

The men on board all day were glad, 
And drank and smoked like any mad. 
And from her sides three times did ring, 
Great guns as loud as anything, 

But at the setting of the sun 

Precisely, ceas’d the noise of gun, 

All ornaments were taken down, 

Jack, ensign, pendant and Apron.” 


1739, June 27, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Peter Prescott 
admitted. 
O.R.; A.B. 


Antigua. 
Meeting of Grand Lodge at St. John. 
See 1739, August 8, znfra. 


1739, June 28, Boston. 


The Boston Weekly News Letter prints the following 
paragraph, viz.: 


“There are Weétterstrom r olant. yo pee 
They add, that the Society of Free Mafons {preads fo 
faft at Pofen that the Clergy there have thought it their 
Duty to oppofe it, and that a Bull of Excommunication 
has been publifh’d againft that Fraternity, not only in 
all the Churches there, but in other Parts of Poland.” 
Pot: 


1739 22'7 


1739, July 3, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brothers John Hame- 
ilton and St. Clair raised. 
O.R. 


1739, July 10, Boston. 
Meeting of the Auditing Committee of the First 
Lodge. 


A.B. 
1739, July 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1739, July 25, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. 

Robert Jenkins and Lincy Wallis made and admitted. 
That they were made this night does not appear on the 
original records, but the record for July 11th shows their 
election and the record for this night shows their admis- 
sion; therefore the Pelham List must be correct notwith- 
standing the omission in the records. Both the Pelham 
List and the original records show the admission of James 
Montier and John Nappier. The original records also 
state that Brothers John Pringle, John Akins, and Albert 
Dennie were admitted. 

OH Reel esd ay oF 


1739, August 7, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 


“The Lodge being opened Bro. Peter Napper (Nap- 
pier) desireing to be raised, was accordingly examined, 


228 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


and being found a good Fellow-Craft to the Satisfaction 
of the Lodge, was unanimously Voted in, and Raised a 
Master in due manner & form and paid 30/. for En- 
trance & quarteridge.”’ 
Election. 
ORS Psi. 


Following the record of this meeting are two blank 
pages. This was the time when the Secretary, Brother 
Beteilhe, apparently became incapacitated (see page 
36), although his partnership with Price was not dis- 
solved until 1741. No other records of this Lodge ap- 
pear until December 2, 1743, g.v. The Pelham List, 
however, gives proof that meetings were held during the 
interval, for it gives the names of four Brethren who 
were raised and seven who were admitted during the 
unrecorded _ period. 


OPK GLP; 


1739, August 8, | Boston—Antigua. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Upon the records appears 
the following letter: 


“Right Worshipfull 
Worshipfull 
Thrice Worthy & Ever Dear Brethren 
We with the utmost Pleasure recd: your hearty con- 
gratulation Upon the Establishment of Masonry in this 
our Island, And return thanks to Our Worthy Brethren 
of Boston for the good Opinion they entertain of the 
virtues of Our Countrymen, which we hope will be con- 
tinualy encreasing as the Royal Craft comes every day to 
flourish and gain ground among us, not only by the Ac- 
cession of numbers of New Brethren, but especially under 
the happy Influence of our thrice Worthy Right Wor- 


1739 229 


shipfull Grand Master his Excellency William Mathew, 
whom we boast of as a true good, Mason & a sincere 
lover and encourager of our inestimable craft. 

We take kindly our Dear Brethrens offer of a friendly 
correspondence and should before this time have signified 
the pleasure we hope to reap from it, by an answer to 
yours of the 4th of April last but that we waited for an 
Opertunity of sending our sincere and hearty good wishes 
to our Brethren and Fellows by the hands of one who 
might in our name greet you in a Brother like manner. 

We are now so happy as to enjoy this wishd for Oper- 
tunity by Our well beloved Brother Majr. John Murrys 
intending for Boston in a Very few Days, whom we 
commend to you as a Worthy upright Master Mason who 
has for some time past. Executed the office of SW of 
one of our Lodges to the entire satisfaction of all his 
Brethren and Fellows. 

All the Brethren here salute you well beloved with the 
greeting of St. John, wishing that all Prosperity may 
attend you, and that no Malicious Cowan may ever with 
profane ears & eyes approach even the lowest step of 
your Worshipfull Lodge, in Order to listen to the Wis- 
dom or pry into the Beauty or Disturb the order & har- 
mony thereof. 


From the Grand Lodge We are Dear Brethren 
held at the Court House in Your Sincer Effectionate 
St. Johns the 27th June Brethren and Humble 
Av 5/39, Servants. 


Signed by the Command 
of the Rt. W:pfull the Grand Master 
William Mercer GS” 
CA. b: 


1739, August 22, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


230 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1739, September 12, —__ Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Caleb Phillips made. 
OR | BIS sAtB: 


1739, September 24, New York. 

The New York Gazette has an advertisement that the 
Lodge will meet on Wednesday, September 26th, at 6.00 
P.M. 


1739, September 26, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Thomas Smith and 
Capts. James Underdown, Narias Vaughn, and Edward 
Calior (Keller) made. 

Op ReS 2 "Al: 


1739, October 8, Boston. 

The advertisement of John Dabney appears in The 
Boston Evening Post offering for sale, among other 
things, Freemason’s jewels. 


P-t. 


1739, October 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1739, October 15, Boston. 
The Boston Evening Post contains the following para- 
graph: 


“Friday, June lft, 
was interred in Burnhill Fields, the Corpfe of Dr. An- 
derfon, a Diffenting Teacher, in a very remarkable deep 
Grave. His Pall was fupported by five Diffenting 





PETER PELHAM 


Secretary of the First Lodge in Boston, from December 
26, 1739 to Sept. 26, 1744 


a 
‘S405 
a 0 - &e 


_ 
* 
* 


04. 





1739 231 


Teachers and the Rev. Dr. Defaguliers: It was followed 
by about a Dozen of Free Mafons, who encircled the 
Grave; and after Dr. Earle had harrangued on the Un- 
certainty of Life, &’c the Brethren, in a moft folemn 
difmal Pofture, lifted up their Hands, sigh’d, and {truck 
their Aprons three Times in Honour to the deceafed.” 


Dr. Anderson was the compiler and publisher of the 
first printed Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of Eng- 
land. To Dr. Desaguliers, more than any other person, 
we owe the casting of our ritual in substantially its pres- 
ent form. 

The signs given will be recognized by the Brethren of 
some jurisdictions as in use to-day though their meaning 
and original purpose have generally been forgotten. 


1739, October 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother James Monk ad- 
mitted. 
OE) a aed Ee Ba, a oo 


1739, October 31, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 

Meeting of the First Lodge at Portsmouth, N. H., at 
which “Regulations or By-Laws” were adopted as shown 
by the earliest volume now known of the records of this 
Lodge. It is not certain whether a record book, now lost, 
was kept prior to this date or not. Concerning this 
Lodge see 1735/6, February 5, supra. 

O.R. 


1739, November 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Hugh Surrey, John 
Lamport and Peter Dillon made. 
CUTER ed BS 8S 


232 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1739, November 15, Antigua. 
Corner Stone of Fort James laid with Masonic cere- 
monies by Is° Mathew, Pro. G. M. 
West Indies Circular, Vol. 23. 
1916 Mass. 239. 
See page 170. 
This is the first definite record of a Masonic corner 
stone ceremony in the Western world. ‘The stone, with 
its inscription, is still visible. 


1739, November 28, — Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1739, December 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Timothy Mc- 
Daniel made. 


O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 


Antigua. 

Antigua Lodge, Courthouse Lodge, Lodge in Saint 
Mary’s Street, and Bafsatee (Basseterre) Lodge, each 
stated as of Antigua (although the latter is of course the 
Lodge in Saint Christopher) are reported on the records 
of the Grand Lodge of England as making payment to 
the Grand Treasurer for their Constitution. 


X O.C.A. 322. 


1739, December 26, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. The records 
for this meeting appear in a new handwriting and state 


that Peter Pelham was elected Secretary. 
O.R. 


oo 





ak 


THE LODGE A 


FACSIMILE OF PAGE OF RECORDS OF 


FOR JANUARY 17, 1739/40 


) 


, NEW HAMPSHIRE 


filsl 


PORTSMOU 


1739 233 


1883 Mass. 159. 
1900 Mass. 122. 
Re Peter Pelham, see pg. 290. 
From this date to the end of the volume the entire rec- 
ord is in the beautiful penmanship of Peter and Charles 
Pelham. For a facsimile of one page, see 1740, April 


23, infra. 


1739, December 27, Boston. 
Celebration of the Festival by the First Lodge and 
Grand Lodge. 
O.R. 
1 Mass. 7. 


South Carolina. 

Meeting of Solomon’s Lodge and Provincial Grand 
Lodge at Charleston, South Carolina. Graeme again 
chosen Provincial Grand Master. Benj. Smith elected 
Master of the Lodge. 

South Carolina Gazette for December 31, 1739. 


1739/40, January 1, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 

Meeting of the Lodge at Portsmouth, N.H., when the 
By-Laws adopted October 31, 1739, ¢.v., were approved, 
being subscribed by Geo. Mitchell, Master; N. Fellows, 
S.W.; Robert Hart, J.W.; Henry Sherburn, Treas. ; Jon’ 
Loggin, Sec. pro tem, and other Brethren. These By- 
Laws in the original record book bear the signatures of 
fifty one Brethren, although most of them signed after 
this date. 

O.R. 


234 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1739/40, January 9, —_— Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R. 


1739/40, January 17, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge at Portsmouth. Pro. G.M. 
Robert Tomlinson of Boston was present. 


O.R. 


1739/40, January 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R. 


1739/40, February 13, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R. 


1739/40, February 27, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R. 


1739/40, March 12, _ Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R. 


Barbados. 
St. Michael’s Lodge Constituted at Bridgeton, Bar- 
bados. 
O.L. 
Entick 337. 
L.M.R. 86. 


CHAPTER XIV 
1740 


1740, March 26, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. At this meeting a com- 
mittee was appointed “to prepare a Remonstrance,” to 
lay before the Lodge on the matter of increasing the 
initiation fee. 

O.R. 
See 1740, April 9, énfra. 


1740, April 3, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. John Webster and Capt. 
Thomas Durfey made. 
Od 5 Ferd ect BY 


Portsmouth, N. H. 
Meeting of the Lodge. William Wentworth made. 
O.R. 


1740, April 7, Boston. 
Meeting of the Committee on the ““Remonstrance”’ re- 
ferred to under 1740, March 26, supra. 
O.R. 1740, April 9. 


1740, April 9, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. The use of the words 
“humble Remonstrance” in the Oxnard petition of Oc- 
tober 7, 1751 (see page 369), has been misinterpreted 


because of the present common use of the word. As 
235 


236 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


showing the true use of the word in those days as well 
as because of its general interest the record of the First 
Lodge for this meeting is quoted as follows: 


Wednesday April 9th: 1740. Being Lodge Night 
The following Brethren Mett. 
The Rt.W: Bro: Robert Tomlinson G M 
The Rt.W: Bro: Hugh McDaniel M. Bro; I Waghorne 
SW. 
The Rt.W: Bro: T: Oxnard. D: G: M Pd: 20/. 
Bro: I Farrel J W Pd: 20/. 


Bro: Benjn: Hollowell Bro: T: Walker 


Bro: Fran: Johonnot V'Pd2 207 
Bro: John Hutchinson Bro: H. Surrey Pdi203 
Bro: Henry Price Bro: Durfee Visr: Pd: 5/. 
Bro: T: Moffatt Bro: ToWebster, (Pdaaeae 
Bro: Luke Vardy Bro:S. DebloisPD:  20/. 


Bro: Stevenson Tylar3/. Bro: P. Pelham S 
Recd 3356/6 43241 9.4G: 


The Lodge being open’d, the Comms: Appointed last 
Lodge Night, to prepare a Remonstrance to lay before 
the Rt. W. Masr: and Brethren of this Society, were 
Introduced in due form; and Order’d to Present the 
same: Bro: T: Moffat one of the Sd: Comms: was desir’d 
to Read it, in Audience of the Rt W: Masr. & Brethren; 
And, after due Attention 

Voted, Nemeni Con: that the Sd: Remonstrance be 
Ingross’d in the Book and to pass into a Law, that, for 
the Future, the Premium to be paid by Candidates, at 
their Initiation, to be Ten Pounds. 

Voted, that the Sd: Comms: be Respectfully Thanked 
for their Care and Trouble in drawing up Sd: Remon- 
strance: Which was perform’d by the Rt W: Masr: & 
Brethren in due form. 

Voted, that the Sd: Comms: be continued, and, that 
our W: Brothers Oxnard and Waghorne be added to 


1740 237 


them, in order to prepare a Remonstre: (as soon as 
posable) for the Benifit of the Bank Stock &c of this 
Society. 

The Rt W: Masr: Hugh McDaniel, Propos’d and 
Nominated, Mr: Box, (Rope Mkr:) a Candidate: and 
to answer 40/s. 

To the Rt W: Mastr:, and W: Wardens, and the 
rest of the Members of this Lodge. 

We whose Names are hereunto Annex’d being a Com- 
mittee appointed by this Lodge to consider, whether it 
be Expedient that a greater Premium than that now 
Stipulated by a Quandam Vote of this Society, be re- 
quired from Candidates before Admission into our Lodge. 

We, after due Deliberation upon the present Circum- 
stances of this Lodge, and Treasury thereof, do think 
that it is now, not only Proper, but absolutely Neces- 
sary for preserving the Honour and Dignity of Masonry 
in General, and advancing the Interest of this Lodge in 
perticular: That the Sum paid by Novices before Intia- 
tion be Augmented, and that the said Augmentation when 
concurr’d to, & agreed on, may presently have the Sanc- 
tion of a Law hence-forward. 

We Your Said Committee are perswaded, that most 
of the Reasons which prevailed for then establishing 
the Inaugurating Fee at the present Rate, do not now 
Subsist; and consequently cannot be employ’d as Argu- 
ments against our Judgment, and Opinion, to abrogate, 
or alter that Decree. As that was a Resolution of this 
Lodge when in its Infant-state, and scarcely a sufficient 
Number to form One perfectly, much less to Maintain 
it with Spirit: We regard it only as a Result of Neces- 
sity, and good Policy, whereby the Society might be En- 
creased to a proper Number. 

We Your Committee are convinced that if the Sum 
paid by Candidates was fixed at Ten Pounds, it would 
not prevent any Man of merit from making Applica- 
tion: on the Contrary—would Invite, and induce Them, 
inasmuch as it would discourage those of mean Spirits, 


238 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


and narrow, or Incumber’d Fortunes from Solliciting to 
Enter with Us: both which are Inconveniences which 
We cannot carefully enough avaoid, or provide against: 
because We apprehend the First to be a Disparagement 
to, and Prostitution of Our Honour; And the Latter are 
often a heavy Charge, and Burthen, in a General and 
Particular Respect. 

We Your Committee observe that at Some Admis- 
sions, There has little or not part of the Money (after 
defraying incumbent Expenses) been applyed towards 
the encreasing of Our Publick Bank Stock—nay! that at 
Times, there has been Occasion Voluntarily to Contribute 
for discharging the Defficiency, or else Vote the Same 
out of the Treasury: by both which pernicious Practices, 
that Fund, which should be encouraged, & encreas’d by 
all honest Methods, & Means—is Lessen’d, & and the 
Noble Ends, & Purposes, for which it was destin’d, & 
appropriated—are frustrated, and rendered abortive. 

Wherefore, We Your Committee move for Concur- 
rence with Us in Opinion, whereby the General, & Per- 
ticular Interest: & Honour of Our Society may be ad- 
vanced: and by which Men of Eminence may be encour- 
aged; and those of base Spirits, & embarras’d Fortunes 
may be discouraged to Associate with Us—And by which 
our Fund, which ought to be invoilably sacred towards 
the Relief of Indigent & Distress’d Masons, their Wives, 
& Children—may be preserv’d and Encreas’d. 

We Your Committee think there are Further Means, 
whereby all these Advantages might be further enlarged, 
and Secured, which We heartily wish. 

Thos: Moffatt 


April the 7th: 5740 Thos: Walker 
Peter Pelham 
O.R. 
1740, April 22, Barbados. 


Charles Crawford, Esq., from Saint Michael’s Lodge 


1740 239 


at Barbados attended the Grand Lodge at London and 
paid ten guineas for charity. 


P.C. (2nd Eng. Ed.) 119. 


1740, After April 22 and before March 19, 1740/41. 
West Indies. 

The Earl of Kintore, Grand Master of England, ap- 
pointed Thomas Baxter, Esq., Provincial Grand Master 
of “Barbados and of all the Islands to the Windward 
of Guardaloup.” 

Preston (Portsmouth, 1804) 191. 
Entick 334. 
P.C. (2nd Eng. Ed.) 120. 


1740, April 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
Os 


The records contained in this volume are so unusually 
attractive that a facsimile of the record of this meeting is 
presented herewith as a specimen. It is the most ornate 
page of the book. 


NERS: 
1740, May 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R. 
1740, May 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R. 
1740, June 11, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. 
O.R.; A.B. 


240 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1740, June 24, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. Brother Thomas Newmarch 
admitted. 
O.R. 


1740, June 24, Barbados 

A badly mutilated copy (but the only one known) of 
the Boston Gazette of August 11, 1740, contains the be- 
ginning and the ending of an account of the celebration 
of the Festival, in part as follows: 


“Barbados, June 24th, 1740. 

This being the Feaft of St. John the Baptift, the 
Mafter and Brethren of the St. Michael’s Lodge of Free 
and accepted Mafons, in a grand Proceffion, went to 
St. Michaels Church in Bridge Town, to pay their Devo- 
tions, wher they heard a moft excellent Sermon fuitable 
to the Occafion, preached by their Reverend Brother 
Huxley, Recter of St. Michaels, the Service of the Day 
oeing perform’d by their Reverend Brother Rofe, Rec- 
tor of St. Thomas’s. 

oe evo Oa ee 

After Sermon the Mafter and Brethren, with the other 
Gentlemen attendant on His Excellency in the Procef- 
fion, proceeded from Church, in the fame order as above 
to the Lodge Houfe, where an elegant Entertainment 
was prepared for them, and the Ladies the Sifters; and 
in the Evening, they conducted the Ladies to the Af- 
fembly Room, where they gave a Ball to the Sifters, and 
other Ladies and Gentlemen, to whom Tickets had been 
given for that purpofe. 

The whole was conducted with great Order, and De- 
ceency, and gave great Satisfaction to every Body. As 
the like was never feen before in this Part of the World, 
the Town was crowded with People from all Parts of 
the I{land to fee the Solemnity.” 

P-t. 









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1740 241 


1740, June 25, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
WA... 
1740, July 9, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1740, July 15 or 16, — Boston. 

Pro. G. M. Tomlinson died in Antigua. It was sup- 
posed that he made a will on the 15th, but it has never 
been found. He was buried on the 16th. 

See 1916 Mass. 241. 


1740, July 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Robert Charles, John 
Box, John Rowe, and Capt. John Furney made. 
Od Cal GRA, 5 


1740, August 13, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1740, August 21, Boston. 

The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes the follow- 
ing paragraph: 

“We have the forrowful News from Antigua, of the 
Death of Mr. Robert Tomlinfon, after Five Days Ill- 
nefs. He was Grand Mafter of the Lodge of Free and 
Accepted Mafons, in this Town. A Gentleman well re- 
{pected, and his Death is much lamented by his Brethren 
and Acquaintance among us.” 


P-t. 


242 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1740, August 25, Boston. 
The Boston Gazette publishes the paragraph last 
quoted. 


P-t. 
1740, August 27, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1740, September 10, _ Boston. 
O.R.; A.B. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Samuel Water- 
house made. Brothers John Rickman, P. Hall, and H. 
Wethered admitted. 

O15 Wp coed Wig by WB nd} 


1740, September 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
ORS 3 A.B: 


1740, October 8, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. John Wright (Right) 
and Patrick Tracy made. 
Ob Rec eri bd Sata bf 


1740, October 22, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1740, November 12, — Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1740 243 


1740, November 18, 
Charleston, South Carolina. 

A large part of Charleston was destroyed by fire. The 
Fraternity there contributed two hundred and fifty dol- 
lars to the relief fund. 

South Carolina Gazette. 


1740, November 26, — Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. George Ladain 
(Leddain) made and accepted. 
bo dahil etd Low al 85 


1740, December 10, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1740, December 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. Capt. Ed- 
ward Oliver made. 
GRP Bev A.B: 
1 Mass. 7. 


1740, December 27, 
Charleston, South Carolina. 
The Fraternity of Charleston again celebrated the 
Festival in a most imposing manner. 


“Saturday last being the Festival of St. John the 
Evangelist, the day was ushered in with firing of guns 
at sunrise, from several ships in the harbour, with all 
their colours flying. At 9 o’clock all the members of 
Soloman’s Lodge, belonging to the Ancient and Honour- 
able Society of Free and Accepted Masons, met at the 
house of Mr. Benjamin Smith, Master of the said Lodge; 


244 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


and at 10, proceeded from thence, properly clothed, with 
the ensigns of their Order to the house of the Provincial 
Grand Master, James Graeme, Esq., where a Grand 
Lodge was held, and Mr. John Houghton was elected 
Provincial Grand Master for the ensuing year, then the 
following officers were chosen, viz: 

Mr. George Seaman, Deputy Provincial Grand Master; 
Mr. Benjamin Smith, Senior Grand Warden; 

Mr. James Graeme, Junior Grand Warden; 

James Mitchie, Esq. Grand Treasurer; 

James Wright, Esq. Grand Secretary. 

At I1 o’clock both Lodges went in procession to church 
to attend Divine Service; and in the same order returned 
to the house of Mr. Charles Shepheard, where Soloman’s 
Lodge proceeded to the election of their officers for the 
ensuing year, when 

Mr. Alexander Murray was chosen Master; 
Mr. Hugh Anderson, Senior Warden; 

Mr. Samuel Prioleau, Junior Warden; 
Mr. John Gwin, Treasurer; 

Mr. John Oyston, Secretary. 

After an elegant dinner, all the brethren being invited, 
went on board the Lydia, Capt. Allen, and from thence 
on board the John and William, Capt. Fishbourne, where 
several loyal healths were drank under the discharge of 
a great many guns. ‘The above ships were on this occa- 
sion, decked out with a great many colours, and illu- 
minated at night with a great number of lights, regu- 
larly disposed on the yards, both of which made a very 
grand and agreeable appearance. In the evening the 
brethren adjourned to Mr. Shepheard’s again, where they 
concluded the day suitable to the occasion. The whole 
was conducted with the utmost order and decency.” 

South Carolina Gazette for Jan. 1, 1740/1. 


John Houghton, the new Provincial Grand Master, 
was a leading merchant of Charleston. 


1921 South Carolina 195. 


1740 245 


1740, December 29, Boston. 

Celebration of the Festival of Saint John the Evange- 
list at Boston by Thomas Oxnard as Deputy Grand 
Master and “a great number of Brethren.” He opened 
a Grand Lodge and appointed his officers. 

O.R. and A.B. of the First Lodge. 


1740/1, January 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
UO eassAgb- 


1740/1, January 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Peter Pelham directed 
to have a copper plate engraved for blank summonses. 


O.R.; A.B. 
1740/1, January 29, London. 


Provincial Grand Master Tomlinson’s will probated 
in London. 
1916 Mass. 242. 
See page 172, supra. 


1740/1, February 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Charity Committee ap- 
pointed. Edward Tothill (Tuthill) made and admitted. 
Olhetb 1. A-B. 
1883 Mass. 165. 


1740/1, February 25, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Peter Cade and Capts. 
Thomas Dunster and Robert Rand made and admitted. 
“The other candidate not attending forfeited his 
praemium.” 


G.R PLA B: 


246 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1740/1, March 5, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 

Meeting of the Lodge, “‘being the Third Night of the 
Quarter.” Brother Jno. Nailor admitted, Jno. Tufton 
made. | 

O.R. 

The above quotation shows that records have not been 
preserved of every meeting for we have no such between 
June 24, 1740 and March 5, 1740/1. Similar hiatuses 
are to be found later. 


1740/1, March 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


CHAPTER XV 


1741 
1741, March 25, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 


OF. ta, oe 


1741, April 2, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. 


O.R. 
1741, April 8, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1741, April 22, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. The ballot on an appli- 
cation showed ‘“‘More Nay’s than Yea’s.” 
O.R.; A.B. 


1741, May 7, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. 


O.R. 
1741, May 13, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R. 
1741, May 25, Boston. 


The Boston Post Boy has the following interesting 


item of News from London: 
247 


248 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


“London, March 20. Yefterday the antient and 
honourable Society of Free and Accepted Mafons had 
their grand annual Feaft at Haberdafhers-Hall. The 
Conclave was very grand, (more Noblemen and Gentle- 
men attending than has been known for many Years) 
the Entertainment in the moft elegant Tafte, mang’d 
with the niceft Decorum, and the Evening {pent as be- 
came the Brothers of that Society. 

Yefterday fome Mock Free-Mafons march’d thro’ 
Pall-Mall and the Strand, as far as Temple-bar, in Pro- 
ceffion; firft went Fellows on Jack-Affes, with Cows 
Horns in their Hands, then a Kettle-Drummer on a 
Jack-Afs, having two Butter-Firkins for Kettle-Drums; 
then followed two Carts drawn by Jack-Affes, having 
in them the Stewards, with feveral Badges of the Order; 
then came a Mourning-Coach, drawn by {fix Horfes, each 
of a different Colour and Size, in which were the Grand- 
Mai{ter and Wardens, the whole attended by a vaft 
Mob; they {taid without Temple-bar till the Mafons 
came by, and paid their Compliments to them, who re- 
turn’d the fame with an agreable Humour, which pof- 
fibly difappointed the Contriver of this Mock-Scene, 
whofe Misfortune is, that tho’ he has fome Wit, his sub- 
jects are generally fo ill-chofen, that, he lofes by it as 
many Friends, as other People, of more Judgment, gain.” 

P-t. 
XVIII A.Q.C. 129, 130. 


1741, May 27, Boston. 

The record says, ‘“The house being all taken up and 
engaged on some publick affairs, there was no Lodge 
neds. 

O.R. 


(741, June 1, Norfolk, Virginia. 
It has been stated by several Masonic historians that 


1741 249 


St. John’s Lodge No. 117 was Chartered for Norfolk, 
Virginia, by the Grand Lodge of Scotland on this date. 
Dove’s History of the G. L. of Virginia. 
IV Gould 379. 
S. & H. 298. 

No proof of this statement can be found and it is evi- 
dently incorrect. Neither the Lodge at Norfolk nor any 
other Lodge in America warranted from Scotland prior 
to St. Andrew’s Lodge in Boston (1756) is to be found 
in the Official List of Lodges Removed from the Roll, 
published with the 1904 edition of the Constitutions and 
Laws of the Grand Lodge of Scotland (pgs. 198-207) ; 
nor in the Edinburgh edition of the Pocket Companion 
of 1761, 1763, or 1765. Brother Dove says that on the 
Scottish Register it is given as No. I11, Constituted in 
1741. It is found on the Scottish lists, however, only 
as No. 117, Instituted 1763. 

Constitutions of Grand Lodge of Scotland, 
1904 Ed., 199 and 1852 Ed., 86. 
P.C. (3rd Edinburgh Ed. 1772) 143. 


1741, June 2, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. Election. 


O.R. 
1741, June 10, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1741, June 15, Boston. 


The Boston Evening Post publishes an interesting ar- 
ticle relative to the mock Masons in London, as follows: 


250 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


March 28. By the Right Worfhipful the Grand Maf- 
ter, Grand Officers, Stewards and Brethren of the 
SCALD MISERABLE MASONS. 

Ad SAN. Lorna rae Sia bee 

VV eens it hath been malicioufly and impudently 

infinuated that Our Proceffion of the 19th In- 
{tant, was intended as an unkind and ungenerous Re- 
flection on the Cavalcade of Our younger Brethren the 
Free Mafons. Let this fatisfy the Public, that We had 
no fuch Intention, bearing always the greateft Brotherly 
Love and Friendfhip towards Our feperated Brethren. 
But Our Reafons are. 

Primo, That We are the True Original SCALD MIS- 
ERABLE MASONS, as We can prove by the Records 
of the Ancient Lodges of RAGG-FAIR, HOCKLEY in 
the HOLE, St. GILES’s, BRICK-STREET, and the 
GOOSE and GRIDIRON in St. Paul’s Church-Yard. 

Secundo, That we were inconte{tibly one Body at the 
ZERA of the Grand Mafterfhip of Mr. A-YER now 
Tyler, or Porter to their Grand and feveral other of 
their Lodges, 

Tertio, Becaufe feveral of the Gentry, without our 
Privity, have crept in among Us who had more Money 
than Wt, and more Nicety than Good Fellowfhip, and 
have fet up, themfelves as a diftinct Body, under the 
Name of FREE MASONS, in open Violation of our 
Ancient Con{titution. 

Quarto, Becaufe We have heard it infinuated, that 
our difcontinuing the Annual Proceffion was urged as a 
proof of our Non Exiftence; or, at leaft, was a Tacit 
Refignation of Right of Elderfhip to our Younger- 
Brothers, the FREE MASONS. 

Wherefore, We have at this time thought fit, accord- 
ing to the known Conftitutions of the above ancient 
Lodges, to re-affume our Proceffional Ceremony. 

And that All whom it may concern may Judge of the 
Juf{tnefs of our Pretenfions, We have annexed a Scheme 


1741 251 


of our Proceffion, and their Cavalcade, and fubmit to 
the Public which wa’ moft becoming the Dignity and 
Solemnity of fo Ancient and fo Venerable a Society. 

PROCESSION of the Scatp MisEraBLe Masons. 

Two Sackbutts, vulgarly call’d Cow’s Horns, in Liv- 
eries. 

An Afs, in proper Habiliments, led by two Pages, in 
the Lzvertes and Ribbons of the Stewards Colour; carry- 
ing a Pair of Butter Férkins, on which a Youth in a neat 
Attire beat, with a Pair of Marrow-Bones. 

A dextrous one legged Man riding on an A/s, and play- 
ing ona Tinkling Cymbal, viz. a Salt Box. 

The TYLER, in a long Robe or Vef{tment, compleatly 
arm’d; on his Head a Cap of Maintenance, on which was 
Hieroglyphically depicted the myftical Emblems of the 
CRAFT; in his Hand a wooden Sword, riding on a Lean, 
Lame, cropt Sorrel Nagg. 

Three Stewards in Proper Cloathing, with Jewels and 
Wands, ina GUTT CART, drawn by Three Affes 
beautifully adorned, with Ribbons and Cockades. A 
Poftilion on the fir{t, which was led by two Pages. 

Three more Stewards in a SAND CART, drawn as 
before. 

GRAND GARDER, or Tyler, to the Grand Lodge, in 
a Huge Cap of Skins, in his Hand a Truncheon; his 
Shoulders from both Sides ornamented with LAY- 
BANDS, like a Hamlet Collonel, riding on a Fine 
prancing Steed, well managed 7” a Grain Cart. 

RAGGED BRETHREN in proper Cloathing, walk- 
ing according to the Ancient Conftitutions, THREE, 
THREE and THREE. 

The Right Worfhipful GRAND MASTER with his 
GRAND OFFICERS in a fuperb magnificent, fable 
State Coach, drawn by Spavin Splint, Swifhtail, Bobtail, 
One eye, and None-eye, all of various Colours, and be- 
decked with Azure Ribbons. 

This Grand and Illuftrious Proceffion, was finifh’d by 


252 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


vaft Numbers of different Infruments, which all together 
compofed a detectable Symphony of ROUGH MU- 
SICK. 
The «— Mark of the right worfhipful 
PONEY 
Grand Mafter 
P-t. 
XVIII A.O.C. 129, 201. 


1741, June 24, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. Thomas 
Oxnard as Deputy Grand Master held a Grand Lodge 
to celebrate the Festival and appointed his officers. 

O.R. of the First Lodge. 
1 N.E.F. 64. 


Pennsylvania. 

A Grand Lodge for the Province of Pennsylvania was 
held at the Indian King, Philadelphia, and Philip Syng 
was chosen Grand Master. 

Pennsylvania Gazette for June 25, 1741. 
See 1738, June 24, supra; and 1749, July 10, 


infra. 


Philip Syng. 

Philip Syng was born in Ireland, September 29, 1703. 
He sailed with his father (a goldsmith), from Bristol, 
England, arriving at Philadelphia, July 14, 1714, where 
he learned the trade of silversmith, married Elizabeth 
Warner in 1730, and there spent the remainder of his 
days. Brother Syng held the following positions and 
offices : 

Original member of the Philadelphia Library Com- 


pany 5 


1741 253 


Original member of American Philosophical So- 
ciety ; 

Vestryman of Christ Church (1747-1749) ; 

Promoter of the Association Battery (1748); 

Warden of the Port (1753); 

Treasurer of the City of Philadelphia from 1759 to 
1769 ; 

Trustee of the Academy from its foundation until 


1773; 





SILHOUETTE OF BRO. PHILIP SYNG 


From Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania 


Provincial Commissioner of Appeals (1765) ; 
Member of Franklin’s Junto; 
Contributor to the Pennsylvania Hospital. 

He became a member of St. John’s Lodge in 1734, 
Junior Grand Warden in 1737, Deputy Grand Master in 
1738, and Grand Master in 1741. He died in 1789, and 
was buried in Christ Church ground. Brother Syng was 
an expert artisan and made the silver inkstand (still pre- 
served in Independence Hall) used by the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence. He lived and had his shop 


254 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


on the west side of Front Street, a few doors below the 
coffee house. 


1 O.M.L.P. 43. 


1741, July 9, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. 

O.R.; A.B. 

The Lodge should have met on the 8th, but the house 
was “‘fill’d by the members of the General Court, and no 
possibility of a proper room to hold a lodge,” &c. 

O.R. 


1 N.E.F. 64. 


1741, July 18, Boston. 
The Masters Lodge bought 2 1/4 yds. of Double Gold 
Lace. 


A.B. 
1741, July 22, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1741, August 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. William Maul made. 
OP Lee be 
1741, August 26, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1741, September 9, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Daniel Hooper made and 
admitted. 
O eRe Pere vATb. 


1741 255 


1741, September 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. The records contain the 
following: 


“Our R‘ Worship’ Mas" recommended to the Brethren, 
that it was his opinion, some perticular order should be 
observed in toasting the health of our R‘ W: Bro: the 
Hon? M* Belcher: and that a Committee might be ap- 
pointed as soon as possable to wait upon him, with 
acknowledgements from the Lodge, of his past favours, 
and to return our thanks &c. 

Voted, that next after the G: M. the Late Govern’ of 
this Province, is to be toasted in the following manner, 
viz: To our R' W: Bro: the Hon’ M* Belcher, Late 
Governour of N.E. with 3 

3 = 9. 
3 
Voted, that Our R' W: Bro: Oxnard D.G.M. Bro™ 
Phillips, Row, Price, Hallowell, Forbes, McDaniel and 
Pelham, be a Committee to form a speech, and wait upon 
the Hon*'® M’ Belcher in behalf of this Society, and to 
make report of their proceeding the next Lodge.”’ 
O.R.; A.B. 
1 Mass. 388. | 
1883 Mass. 160. 


1741, September 25, Boston. 

The records of the First Lodge contain the following: 

“On Fryday Septem" 25. 1741, the Committee ap- 
pointed by this Lodge waited upon the Hon?* M” Belcher 
&c., and made the following Speech: 

Thrice Worthy Brother. 

We being a Committee by the Mother Lodge of N. 
England held in Boston to wait on You, take this Op- 
pertunity to Acknowledge the many favours You have 
always shewed (when in Power) to Masonry in General, 


256 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


but in a More Especial manner to the Breth" of this 
Lodge, of which we shall ever retain a most grateful 
Remembrance. 

As we have had your Protection when in the most 
Exalted Station here, so we think it is Incumbent on us 
to make this Acknowledgement, having no other means 
to testify our Gratitude but this; And to wish for Your 
future Health and Prosperity which is the Sincere desire 
of Us, and those in whose behalf We appear, and permit 
us to assure You we shall ever remain 

Honoured Sir 
Your most Affectionate Breth* 
& Humble Servants. 
PETER PELHAM Sec" 
in behalf of the Committee. 


To which, we receiv’d the following Answer: 
Worthy Brothers. 

I take very kindly this mark of your Respect. It is 
now Thirty Seven years since I was admitted into the 
Ancient and Hon?" Society of Free and accepted Masons, 
to whom I have been a faithful Brother, & well-wisher 
to the Art of Masonry. 

I shall ever maintain a strict friendship for the whole 
Fraternity; & always be glad when it may fall in my 
power to do them any Services. 

J. BELCHER.” 
O.R. of First Lodge. 
I Mass. 389. 
1883 Mass. 161. 
1 N.E.F. 66. 


Boston Gazette for September 28, 1741. 


1741, October 2, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. 
O.R. 


1741 257 


1741, October 13, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. “Capt. Andrew Tombes was 


made a Mason and raised to a Fellow Craft.”’ 
O.R. 


1741, October 14, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. A committee was ap- 
pointed to wait upon His Excellency William Shirley, 
the new Governor of the Province. 

Whe: ALB. 

1 Mass. 389. 
1883 Mass. 162. 
1 N.E.F. 66. 


1741, October 23, Boston. 

Evidently the new Governor, William Shirley, suc- 
ceeding Brother Belcher, was not a member of the Fra- 
ternity but they, nevertheless, attested their allegiance to 
the Government as disclosed by the following record 
from the minute book of the First Lodge: 


“On Fryday October the 23° 1741. The Committee 
appointed by this Lodge, waited upon his Excellency 
William Shirley Esq’ and presented him with the follow- 
ing Address: 

May it please your Excellency, 

We being a Committee appointed by the Ancient and 
hon” Society of Free & accepted Masons of the MoTHER 
Lopce of America held in Boston, presume to wait upon 
you with the utmost Sincerity, to congratulate your Ad- 
vancement to the Government of this Province, and to 
assure your Excellency that our Desire is that your Ad- 
ministration may be successful and easy. 

We have had hitherto the Honour of His Majesty’s 
Governor being one of our ancient Society, who was 


258 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


ever a well-wisher & faithful Brother to the Royal Art 
of Masonry. 

And as it has been the Custom for men in the most 
exalted Station to have had the Door of our Society’s 
Constitutions always opened to them (when desired) we 
think it our Duty to acquaint your Excellency with that 
Custom, and assure you, that we shall chearfully attend 
your Excellency’s Pleasure therein; and as we are con- 
scious that our Society are loyal and faithful Subjects to 
His Majesty, so we may reasonably hope for your Ex- 
cellency’s Favour and Protection, which is the Request of 

Your Excellency’s 
most obedient humble Servants, 
PETER PELHAM Secr. 
in behalf of the Society. 


To which His Excellency was pleas’d to return the 
following Answer: 
Gentlemen. 

I Return the ancient and honourable Society my 
Thanks for their Address, and Invitation of me to the 
Mother Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Amer- 
ica: And they may rest assur’d that their Loyalty and 
Fidelity to his Majesty will always recommend the So- 
ciety to my Favour and Protection. 

W. SHIRLEY. 

Voted, that the above Address to His Excellency W™ 
Shirley Esq’ &c. with his Excellency’s Answer, be printed 
in one of the Publick papers next Monday.” 

O.R. of First Lodge. 

1 Mass. 390. 

1914 Mass. 263, e¢ cét. 

Boston Gazette for November 3, 1741 (P-t). 
1 N.E.F. 279. 

For many years following we shall learn little from 
the newspapers about the membership or doings of the 
Lodge. This is probably due to a resolution passed this 


1741 259 


year by the Grand Lodge of England forbidding, under 
penalty, any brother to print or cause to be printed, the 
proceedings of any Lodge, or any part thereof, or the 
names of the persons present at such Lodge, except by 
the direction of the Grand Master or his Deputy. When 
this resolution was communicated to the Colonies, it must 
have had a strong influence. From the above publication 
until January 1749/50, I can find but two newspaper 
items in all the colonies giving local news of the craft. 
These two are the accounts of the celebration of the 
Festival of St. John the Evangelist in Charleston in 1741 
and 1742, g.v. In these early days there was a woful 
neglect to keep records. Of those which were recorded, 
most have been lost or destroyed by casualty or careless- 
ness. Add to all this, the resolution against newspaper 
publication and it is not strange that our sources of in- 
formation are few. 


1741, October 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. George Ruggles and Ed- 
ward Cahill made. 
Report of Shirley Committee. 
Oho be ALD: 
] N.E.F. 279. 


1741, November 6, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. 
O.R. 


1741, November 11, — Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. George Ruggles ad- 
mitted. 
O.R.; A.B. 


260 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1741, November 25, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1883 Mass. 163. 
1 N.E.F. 280. 


1741, November 27, _ Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1741, December 4, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. 
O.R. 


1741, December 9, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1741, December 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1 Mass. 7. 
1 N.E.F. 280. 


1741, December 27, 
Charleston, South Carolina. 
Elaborate celebration of the Festival. The account in 
the South Carolina Gazette for January 2, 1741/2, reads 
as follows: 


“On Monday laft, the brethren of the Provincial 
Grand Lodge and of Solomon’s Lodge, proceeded in 


1741 261 


their proper clothing from the Provincial Grand Mafter’s 
houfe to church, where a fermon fuited to the occafion 
was preached by the Rev. Brother Durant, and the 
brethren returned in the due order of Mafons, to Mr. 
Shepheard’s houfe, where an elegant entertainment was 
prepared for them and fome other gentlemen of diftinc- 
tion, invited by the Grand Mafter. 
The following officers were chofen for the enfuing 
year, Viz: 
Of the Provincial Grand Lodge: 
The Hon. John Hammerton, Efg. Provincial Grand 
Mafter; 
Mr. George Seaman, Deputy Grand Mafter; 
Mr. Benjamin Smith, Senior Grand Warden; 
James Mitchie, Efg., Junior Grand Warden; 
James Wright, Efg., Grand Treasurer ; 
Mr. Alexander Murray, Grand Secretary. 


Of Solomon’s Lodge: 
Mr. Hugh Anderfon, Mafter; 
The Hon. Richard Hill, Efg., Senior Warden; 
Mr. John Gwynn, Junior Warden; 
Mr. John Oy{ton, Treafurer; | 
Mr. Samuel Bowman, Secretary; 
Mr. Samuel Rofs 
Mr. William Lowndes, } Stewards. 

Great numbers of guns were difcharged from the fhips 
in the harbour during the procefion and afterwards; and 
the whole was conducted with the greateft order and 
decency, the night concluding with the illumination of 
the vefsels of the brethren in the harbour, and a ball to 
the ladies.”’ 


1741/2, January 1, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. Capt. Henry Darling made 
and “raised Fellow Craft.” 
O.R. 


262 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1741/2, January 13, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1741/2, January 27, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Samuel Rhodes, Benja- 
min Marlow, Charles Price, and Bagwell Irish made. 
OURS Pali Arby 


1741/2, February 3, —_ Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. William Bishop made. 
OUR Paes Ath: 


1741/2, February 4, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. 
O.R. 


1741/2, February 10, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Thomas Kelby (Kilby), 
Esq., made. 

It was voted that a petition to the Grand Lodge of 
England be sent with all speed for the appointment of 
Thomas Oxnard as Provincial Grand Master. 


O.R.; A.B. 


1741/2, February 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1741/2, March 4, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. 
O.R. 


1741 263 


1741/2, March 10, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. George Diamond made. 
Brothers Samuel Rhodes, Benjamin Marlow, and Wil- 


liam Bishop admitted. 
Utes. Alb. 


1741/2, March 24, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Phillip O’debart (Audi- 
bert), John Lee, and Henry Smithson made and ad- 
mitted. 

Gis heb 2A Db: 


CHAPTER XVI 
1742 


1742, April 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Charles Gautier and 
Peter Cossett made. 
Oost Alb: 


1742, April 22, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. Capt. Eliakim Bickford made 
and “raised Fellow Craft.” 


O.R. 


1742, after April 27 and before May 2, 1744, Jamaica. 
Lord Ward, during his term as Grand Master of Eng- 

land, in addition to Oxnard as Provincial Grand Master 
for North America (September 23, 1743), appointed 
Ballard Beckford, George Hynde, and Alexander Craw- 
ford, Esqrs., Provincial Grand Masters for Jamaica and 
one Provincial Grand Master for Bermuda. 

Preston (Portsmouth, 1804) 192. 

Entick 334. 

P.C. (2nd Eng. Ed.) 123. 


1742, April 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brothers Peter Cossett 
and Francis Johonott (Johonnott) admitted. 


O.R.; A.B. 
264 


1742 265 


1742, May 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1742, May 26, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1742, June 9, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1 Mass. 7. 
1742, June 16, Boston. 
Meeting of the Auditing Committee of the First Lodge. 
A.B. 
1742, June 17, West Indies. 


Lodge Constituted at Old Road, St. Christopher, by 
Grand Master of England. 
O.L. 
L.M.R. 87. 


1742, June 23, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Abraham Orpin, William 
Ball, and William Starkey made. ‘Brother William 
Foy, Rais’'d F. C. & Mem’”.” 

OF) eA Bi oy 


1742, June 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the Grand Lodge and celebration of the 
Festival by about forty Brethren. 
O.R. of First Lodge. 
1 N.E.F. 280. 


266 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. Election. 
O.R. 


1742, June 28, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Thomas James 
Gruchy (Luchy) admitted. Henry Lawrence of South 
Carolina made. 

Resale ALB 
1883 Mass. 164 
1 N.E.F. 280. 


1742, July 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Lewis Vassal made. 
OPS Ree Late of Na a 


1742, July 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1742, August 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. James Brunette made 
and Brother Edward Cahill admitted. 
© Acie Las Ach: 


1742, August 25, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1742, September 8, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1742 267 


1742, September 22, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1742, October 8, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. 
O.R. 


1742, After October 11, Jamaica. 
Lodge Constituted at Port Royal. 
O.L. 
Entick 337. 
L.M.R. 88. 


1742, October 13, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Thomas Camp- 
ling admitted. 
OR Peis ACB: 
1883 Mass. 165. 
1 N.E.F. 280 


1742, October 14, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge at which it was voted that it 
meet the first and third Thursday in every month. 
O.R. 


1742, October 27, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


268 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1742, November 4, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. 
O.R. 


1742, November 10, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1742, November 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. James Sprowll made. 
Ot Aid eed Bai we 


1742, December 8, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge at which rules were 
adopted concerning the issuance of letters of recommen- 
dation for Brothers intending to travel in foreign coun- 
tries. 

O.R.; A.B. 
] N.E.F. 281. 


1742, December 22, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. Joseph 
Smythurst (Smithurst ) made. 
ORF PACeTALB: 


1742, December 28, Boston. 
Celebration of the Festival by the Grand Lodge. 
O.R. and A.B. of First Lodge. 


Charleston, South Carolina. 
The Festival was again celebrated in an imposing 
manner. In Charleston this festival was evidently a 


1742 269 


great civic event. The account from the South Carolina 


Gazette for January 3, 1742/3, reads: 


“Monday la{t being the anniverfary meeting of the 
Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted 
Mafons, the members of Solomon’s Lodge met at the 
house of Worfhipful Mr. Hugh Anderfon, Mafter of 
the Lodge, at 9 o’clock in the morning; from thence they 
walked in procefsion to the houfe of the Right Worfhip- 
ful John Hammerton, Efgq., Provincial Grand Mafter, 
and there joined the members of the Grand Lodge, and 
from thence, (being properly clothed, ) both Lodges pro- 
ceeded regularly, with the enfigns of their Order, and 
mufic before them, to Church, where they heard a very 
learned fermon from their brother, the Rev. Mr. Durant 
(Durand); then returned in due order to the house of 
Mr. Charles Shepheard, where an elegant entertainment 
was prepared, and the Lodges being called, the follow- 
ing gentlemen were chofen officers for the enfuing year: 

R.W.Mr. Benjamin Smith, Provincial Grand Maf- 
Lene 

James Michie, Efq., Deputy Provincial Grand Maf- 
ter; 

Mr. Alexander Murray, Senior Grand Warden; 

Mr. Hugh Anderfon, Junior Grand Warden; 

James Wright, Efg., Grand Treafurer; 

James Graeme, Efq., Grand Secretary. 


The Worfhipful Mr. John Gwinne, Mafter of Solo- 
mon’s Lodge; 

Mr. John McKenzie, Senior Warden; 

Mr. John Oyfton, Junior Warden; 

Mr. Thomas Smith, Treafurer; 

Mr. Kenneth Michie, Secretary; 

Mr. Henry Rea q 

Mr. Robert Blyth AU ae 

During all this time great numbers of guns were fired 

from the fhips in the harbour, and after dinner feveral 


270 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


loyal toafts were drank. The whole was conducted with 
the greateft order and decency and the evening con- 
cluded, fuitable to the occafion, with a ball to the la- 
dies.” 


Benjamin Smith. 

Hon. Benjamin Smith was born in 1718. Member 
Assembly, 1748-1762; Speaker, 1755, 1760, 1762. As- 
sociate Justice Common Pleas, 1766. Died at Newport, 
R. I., July 28, 1770, and buried there in Trinity Church. 

1921 So. Car. 195. 


There is no further account known of Masonic meet- 
ings in South Carolina until 1751, except as noted under 
“1743” infra; page 283. For the probable reason see 
page 258. The next accounts (South Carolina Gazette 
for January 10, 1751/2, and January 8, 1752/3, and 
Timothy’s Gazette for March 30, 1752) show abundant 
signs of continuity. 

See Mackey’s History of Freemasonry in South 
Carolina, 21. 


1742/3, January 6, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. 
O.R. 


1742/3, January 12, —_ Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


h742/3, January 26, —_ Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
LN EE 281. 


BENJAMIN SMITH 


From Portrait Painted by Theus, Charleston 1760. 





1742 


1742/3, February 9, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. 
Gre ssAcb: 


1742/3, February 23, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. 
OPRes A.D, 


1742/3, March 9, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. 
Gunes A;B: 


1742/3, March 23, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1883 Mass. 165. 
TEN ERA 281. 


271 


CHAPTER XVII 


1743 

1743, April 13, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 

1743, April 27, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Joseph Murry (Murray) 
and Edmund Lewis (Ellis) made. 
OURT OR Dieatiy 


1743, May 11, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Brothers William Ball, 
Edmund Lewis (Ellis), and Archibald Spencer admitted, 
and Lewis Turner and George Wilson made. 


O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 


1743, May 25, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brothers Benjamin 
Franklin and Henry Price both attended this meeting. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1 Mass. 390. 
1888 Mass. 153. 


1743, June 8, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Lewis Turner 
272 


1743 273 


admitted. Brother Benjamin Franklin was also present 
at this meeting. 


Gils tALb: 


1743, June 20, Boston. 
The Boston Evening Post publishes the following 


item, véz.- 


“Extract of a Letter from Vienna, dated March 20, 
N.S. 

The Affair of the Free-Mafons, {till makes a great 
Noife here, becaufe of the Perfons of high Rank con- 
cerned in it. By a Lift handed about here, it appears 
that the Lodge was compofed of a young Prince of an 
illu{trious Houfe, two other Princes, fix Counts of the 
ereate{t Families of Auftria, four Generals, a Foreign 
Minifter, well known in the learned World, and three 
Priests, befides others of inferior Note. Among them 
there were Roman Catholicks, Proteftants, and Luther- 
ans, the Free-Mafons admitting all Sort of Religions 
among them, not even excepting Mahometans; but what 
we mo{t wonder at, is, to have found Prie{ts in this So- 
ciety. The latter are clofe confined in the Prifon of the 
Archbifhoprick, and have been interrogated feveral Times 
already, but abfolutely refufed to give any Eclairciffe- 
ment concerning the Secret of the Fraternity: Cardinal 
Collonitz, our Archbifhop, is charged to profecute them. 
Among other Things found in the Lodge, there was a 
Book, in which thefe Words are wrote; Our Orders, the 
moft illuftrious that ever was known, is of as great 
Antiquity as the World itfelf, for Adam was the firft 
Free-Mafon, &c. Upon which it is further to be ob- 
ferved, that when the Guards broke the Door of the 
Lodge, they found a Bible on the Table, open at the 
firft Chapter of Genefis; but as to the Report of their 
having a Death’s Head and black Tapers, is a mere In- 


274 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


vention of the Populace, who take the Free-Mafons to be 
Magicians.” 
P-t. 


1743, June 20, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. Capt. John 
Shannon made. 


OoR ih seal: 


1743, June 23, Boston. 
The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes the follow- 
ing item: 


“We have Letters from Lisbon which fay, that the 
Inquifitors having difcover’d that there were Free- 
Mafons in that City, found Means to take up about 18 
of them; that they examin’d them about the Secret of 
the Society; but upon their refufing to reveal it, the In- 
quifitors dec’ear’d to them, that they fhould remain in 
the Prifons of the Inquifition until they give fatisfactory 
Anfwers on that Head.” 

Feats 


1743, June 24, Boston. 
Celebration of the Festival by the Grand Lodge. 
O.R. of First Lodge. 
1 Mass. 7. 


1743, July 13, Boston. 
Brothers Hall, Phillips, Allen, and Thomas Rind ad- 
mitted. ‘Thomas Aston made. 


OPA ndd Dobe 8}. 


1743, July 27, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. John Amil and John 
Vanhartburger made. 


O'R Pe Ar bs: 


1743 275 


1743, August 10, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Daniel Perchard and 
Benjamin Ives made. 
This record contains the first American reference to 
the actual issuance of a “‘dispenceation.” 
See page 106, ITII’’. 
A committee was appointed to invite Governor 
Belcher. 
OU Sy 1 ed BR og Vd bp 
1883 Mass. 162. 
JEN E-FSZ81° 


1743, August 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1883 Mass. 165. 
1 N.E.F. 281. 


1743, September 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1743, September 23, Boston. 

Deputation issued by Lord Ward, Grand Master of 
England, to Thomas Oxnard as Provincial Grand Master 
for North America. A copy of this Deputation certified 
by Peter Pelham, Grand Secretary, on May 29, 1744, 
is in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Massa- 
chusetts. 

See page 279. 
1 Mass. 8. 
The Picture of Philadelphia, (1811) 289. 


276 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1743, September 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
] N.E.F. 282. 


1743, October 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1743, October 26, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
OCHS ALD: 


1743, November 9, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Dr. Edward Ellis made. 
Ol ead RE Bo el 6} 


1743, November 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. John Boutin (by 
Dispensation) and Henry Johnson made. 
LO Pan Waa Nad Micon Ye BF 


1743, December 2, Boston. 

Meeting of the Masters Lodge. This is the first rec- 
ord after August 7, 1739, g.v. This record is in the hand- 
writing of Peter Pelham, Secretary, who left two blank 
pages upon which to write the omitted meetings. 

OFT Ato: 


1743, December 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Edward Cahill 
admitted. 
O.R.; A.B. 








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OXNARD’S DEPUTATION AS PROVINCIAL GRAND 
MASTER FOR NORTH AMERICA; SEPTEMBER 23, 1743 





1743 277 


1743, December 27, Boston. 
Celebration of the Festival by the Grand Lodge. 
O.R. of First Lodge. 
1883 Mass. 165. 
1 N.E.F. 282. 


1743, December 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. 
OH id, Glee 


1743/4, January 6, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
OURS Ab: 


1743/4, January 9, Boston. 

The Boston Evening Post contains an account of the 
recent formation in Avignon of the Knights and Knight- 
esses of the Order of Felicity soon after the Freemasons 
were suppressed there, and the mandate of the Arche 
bishop against the new society. 

P—t. 


1743/4, January 11, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Joseph Holbrook made. 
Brother Abraham Reller admitted. Under this date the 
Treasurer paid for binding a book for the laws and list 
of the members of the Lodge. (This book has been lost.) 

One: BEA B: 


1743/4, January 26, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


278 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1743/4, February 3, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Election. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1743/4, February 8, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Vote concerning the en- 
tertainment of Governor Belcher. 
OURe Ay: 
1 N.E.F. 282. 


1743/4, February 9, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Entertainment of Gov- 
ernor Belcher who attended with about forty of the 
Brethren. 

O.R.; A.B. 

1 Mass. 391. 
1883 Mass. 162. 
LENE 22: 

He soon thereafter sailed for England. See 1744, 
September 26, énfra. 


1743/4, February 22, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Jonathan Pue made. 
COS TEE) bags fed 8p 


1743/4, March 2, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brothers Thomas As- 
ton, John Boutin, and Philip Audibert raised. 
OUR Tsp Eele eA. u, 


1743/4, March 6, Boston. 
Thomas Oxnard received his Deputation as Provincial 
Grand Master of North America. ‘The original records 


1743 279 


of the First Lodge contain a copy of this Deputation, 
together with an account of his holding a Grand Lodge 
and appointing his officers. The Deputation reads as 
follows: 


J: Ward (sEaL) G: M. 

To all and every, Our R‘ Worsh!' and Loving Brethren 
We John Lord Ward Baron of Birmingham in the 
County of Warwick Grand Master of the Honourable 
Society of Free and Accepted Masons 

SENDETH GREETING, 

Whereas Application hath been made unto us by sev- 
eral of Our Brethren Residing in North America praying 
that We would appoint a Provincial Grand Master for 
North America in the Room of our Bro Rob‘ Tomlinson 
Esq’ Deceas’d late Provincial Grand Master, 

Now Know Ye That We John Lord Ward have 
Nominated Constituted and Appointed, and by these 
Presents do Nominate Constitute and Appoint Our Well 
beloved Bro" Thomas Oxnard Esq’ To Be Provincial 
Grand Master of North America with full power to Nom- 
inate and Appoint his Deputy Grand Master and Grand 
Wardens, and in Our Name and stead to Constitute 
Lodges in North America he the said Tho*® Oxnard Esq’ 
taking special care that all and every Member, or Mem- 
bers of any Lodge or Lodges so to be Constituted have 
been or shall be made Regular Masons, and that he cause 
all and every the Regulations contain’d in the Printed 
Book of Constitutions (except so far as they have been 
alter’'d by the Grand Lodge at their Quarterly Com- 
munications) to be kept and Observ’d, and also all such 
other Rules and Instructions as shall from time to time 
be Transmitted to him by us or S™ Rob' Lawley Bart: 
our Deputy Grand Master, or the Grand Master or his 
Deputy for the time being, and that he the said Tho*® 
Oxnard Esq" do send an Acco‘ in Writing to us or our 
Deputy, or the Grand Master for the time being of all 
and every the Lodge or Lodges, he shall Constitute with 


280 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


the Date of their Constitution and Days of Meeting and 
Names of their Members, and their place of abode, also 
Two Guineas for the General Charity and half a Guinea 
for other Expences from every Lodge he shall Constitute, 
and also to hold four Quarterly Communications in a 
Year, one of them upon the Feast of S* John the Evan- 
gelist or as near that time as Conveniently may be. 
Given unto Our Hand and Seal at London This Twenty 
Third Day of September, One Thousand Seven Hundred 
and Forty Three, and of Masonry Five Thousand Seven 
Hundred and Forty Three. 
By the Grand Masters Command 
sign’d 
JOHN Revis, G:S. 

O.R. of First Lodge. 

See 1743, September 23, supra. 

1 Mass. 7, 8, 387. 

1871 Mass. 313, 350. 

1 N.E.F, 283: 


Thomas Oxnard. 


Provincial Grand Master for North America, March 6, 
1743/4 to June 25, 1754. 

Thomas Oxnard was born about 1703 in the Bishopric 
of Durham in England. The date of his emigration to 
this country has not been ascertained. On January 21, 
1735/6, he was made a Mason in the First Lodge in 
Boston of which he was chosen Master at the Feast of 
Saint John the Evangelist, 1736. He was one of the 
founders of the Masters Lodge on January 2, 1738/9, 
and frequently attended its meetings. At the Feast of 
Saint John the Evangelist in 1739 he was appointed 
Deputy Grand Master. He succeeded Tomlinson as 
Grand Master, his Commission being dated September 
23, 1743, and being received in Boston on March 6, 


1743 281 


1743/4. He was specifically appointed by his original 
warrant to be Provincial Grand Master of North Amer- 
ica, with full power to constitute lodges in North Amer- 
ica. In the exercise of that power he constituted Lodges 
not only in and about Boston, but also in Newfoundland, 
Rhode Island, Maryland, Connecticut, and elsewhere. 
We know that he was in England in 1752 (1 Mass. 19) 
and he was probably absent for some time because he did 
not attend the Communications of the Grand Lodge from 
October 11, 1751, until October 13, 1752. During his 
absence, however, he was evidently in communication 
with the Grand Lodge for in January, 1752, Brother 
McDaniel was Deputy Grand Master, while in June of 
the same year we find that Alexander Lord Colvill had 
been deputized as Deputy Grand Master. 

A contemporaneous estimate of him as an experienced 
merchant, an upright dealer, an affectionate husband, a 
tender parent, a sincere friend, and a kind master, is re- 
corded on the records of the Grand Lodge under date of 
July 1, 1754, together with an account of the Masonic 
ceremonies at his funeral (1 Mass. 33). 

Oxnard and his wife’s father, John Osborn, were part- 
ners in business. Mr. Osborn had many public offices, 
and doubtless Oxnard was a chief factor in the manage- 
ment of the affairs at the store and on the wharf. His 
mansion was at the northerly corner of Tremont and 
Winter streets, having been bought in 1742 of Adam 
Winthrop, Esq. This property is diagonally across Tre- 
mont street from Park Street Church. Full statements 
concerning his family may be found in the references 
given. 

His widow, Madam Sarah Oxnard, married, second, 
April 10, 1756, the Honourable Samuel Watts, Esq. 


282 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


She was evidently a shrewd business woman, for it would 
appear from the settlement of the Oxnard Estate that 
she charged her second husband, Judge Watts, for four 
years’ use of her house in Boston from 1756 to 1760, 
about which time the family removed to Chelsea where 
Judge Watts died in 1770. Her portrait was painted 
by John Singleton Copley and is still in existence. Un- 
fortunately no portrait of Thomas Oxnard is known. 
The Boston Post Boy for Monday, July 1, 1754, con- 
tains an account of his death and funeral identical with 
that recorded in the records of the Grand Lodge above 
referred to. The Boston Gazette of Tuesday, July 2, 
1754, has the following intelligence: 


“Last Tuesday died here Thomas Oxnard, Esq., a 
noted merchant of this town, in the fifty-first year of his 
age, and was decently interred on Friday last.” 


There is also a note in the Gentlemen’s Magazine of 


London for 1754, page 388, reading: 


“At Boston in New England, Thomas Oxnard, Esq., 
an eminent merchant, Grand Master of the Society of 
Freemasons in North America.” 


1871 Mass. 642. 

6 N. E. Historical and Gen. Reg. 375. 
26 N. E. Historical and Gen. Reg. 3. 
Willis’ History of Portland. 


1743/4, March 14, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Louis Demoulin made. 
A vote is passed to procure a new book for the By-Laws. 
(This book lost. ) 

OUR Pei ALB: 


1743 283 


1743, South Carolina. 
Prince George Lodge Constituted at George Town 
(Winyaw) South Carolina. 
L.M.R. 89. 
IV Gould 395. 


CHAPTER XVIII 
1744 


1744, March 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Benjamin Hal- 
lowell admitted. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1744, April 4, Antigua. 

Francis Byam, D.D., Master and in behalf of Court- 
House Lodge, Antigua, petitioned the Grand Lodge in 
London that as they had built a new Lodge-room sixty 
feet long and thirty feet wide, with a small room ad- 
joining, the said new built Lodge might be entered on 
the Register as ‘“The Great Lodge of St. John’s.” The 
petition was granted with the alteration that the name 
should be “The Great Lodge at St. John’s in Antigua.” 

Entick 242. 

Preston (Portsmouth 1804) 192. 
Pi) (2nds bnp de) ele a: 
1738, November 22, supra. 


1744, April 6, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1744, April 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
OTe ALG: 


284 


1744 285 


1744, April 25, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
ORS A:B: 
1744, May 4, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1744, May 9, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Richard White made. 
TDA Si) eed Basia tal ob 
1744, May 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1744, May 29, Boston. 


Grand Secretary Peter Pelham certified a copy of 
Thomas Oxnard’s commission as Provincial Grand Mas- 
ter of North America. 

See page 279. 


1744, June 1, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brothers Jonathan 
Pue, Henry Johnson, and Timothy McDaniel raised. 
OU) alia: A-B. 


1744, June 13, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. Brother W. 
Starkey admitted. Daniel Plaister and Samuel Winslow 
made. 


Ones Pie ALB, 


286 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1744, June 26, Boston. 
Celebration of the Festival by the Grand Lodge. 
O.R. and A.B. of First Lodge. 


1744, June 27, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1744, July 6, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Election. 
OM ies 8} 
1744, July 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1744, July 25, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1744, August 2, Boston. 


The Boston Weekly News Letter publishes an account 
of the burlesque procession by the mock Masons which 
we reproduce as follows: 


From the St. James’s Evening-Poft. 
LROUNE DORN aViayvicn 

ESTERDAY the Cavalcade of Scald Miferable- 
Mafons, went in Proceffion from the Place of 
Meeting thro’ the Strand to Temple-Bar, and on 
returning back to meet the Free and Accepted 
Mafons, they were put into Diforder near Somerfet- 
Houfe, by the High Conftable of Wef{tminfter, attended 
by a large Body of inferior Officers, who prefs’d Dag A—e 


1744 287 


Jack, Poney and feveral others, to the Number of 20, 
whom they fecur’d in St. Clement’s Church and Round 
Houfe, for his Majefty’s Service. 
A Key to the Proceffion of the Scald-Miferable Mafons. 
eee eaD by our Manifefto of laft Year, dated 
from our Lodge in Brick-Street, we did, in the 
mof{t explicit Manner, vindicate the ancient Right and 
Privileges of this Society, and by inconteftable Argu- 
ments evince our fuperior Dignity and Seniority to all 
other In{titutions, whether Grand-Volgi, Gregorians, 
Hurlothrumbians, Ubiquarians, MHiccubites, Lumber- 
Troopers, Hungarians, or Free-Mafons; yet neverthelefs, 
a few Perfons under the laft Denomination, {till arro- 
gate to them the ufurped Titles of Moft Antient and 
Honourable, in open Violation of Truth and Juftice, 
{till endeavour to impofe their falfe Myfteries (for a 
Premium) on the Credulous and Unwary, under Pre- 
tence of being Part of our Brotherhood, and ftill are 
determin’d with Drums, Trumpets, gilt Chariots and 
other unconftitutional Finery to caft a Reflection on the 
primitive Simplicity and decent Oeconomy of our An- 
cient and Annual Peregrination: We think therefore 
proper, in Ju({tification of Ourfelves, publickly to Dif- 
claim all Relation or Alliance whatfoever, with the faid 
Society of Free Mafons, as the fame muft manifeftly 
tend to the Sacrifice of our folemn My{teries: And fur- 
ther, to convince the Publick of the Candour and Open- 
nefs of our Proceedings, We here prefent them with a 
Key to our Proceffion ; and that the rather, as it con- 
fifts of many Things Emblematical, Myftical, Hiero- 
glyphical, Comical, Satirical, Political, &c. 

And whereas many perfuaded by the Purity of our 
Con{titution, the nice Morality of our Brethren, and 
peculiar Decency of our Rites and Ceremonies, have 
lately forfook the grofs Errors and Follies of the Free- 
Mafonry, are now become true Scald-Miferables, it can- 
not but afford a moft pleafing Satisfaction to all who 
have any Regard for Truth and Decency, to fee our Pro- 





288 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


ceffion encreafed with fuch Number of Profelytes, and 
behold thofe, whofe Vanity, but the laft Year, exalted 
them into a borrow’d Equipage, now condefcended to 
become the humble Cargo of a Sand-cart: But, 
Magna eft Veritas, © prevalebit. 

Two Tylers, or Guarders 

In yellow Cockades and Liveries, being the Colour 
ordain’d by the Sword-Bearer of State. They, as young- 
e{t enter’d Apprentices, are to guard the Lodge, with a 
drawn Sword, from a!l Cowens and Eves-droppers, that 
is Liftners, left they fhould difcover the incomprehenfi- 
ble My{teries of Mafonry. 

A Grand Chorus of Inftruments, viz. 

Four Sackbutts, or Cow’s Horns; fix Hottentot Haut- 
boys; four Tinkling Cymbals, or Tea Canifters, with 
broken Glafs in them; four Shovels and Brufhes; two 
Double Bafs Drippingpans; a Tenor Frying pan; a Salt- 
Box in De-la-fol; and a Pair of Gut Tubs. 

Two Pillars, Jachin and Boaz. 

After the Proportion and Workmanfhip of the famous 
ones in the Porch of Solomon’s Temple. Their Height, 
their Thicknefs, and their Capital. Adorn’d with Lilly- 
work, Net-work, and Pomgranet-work. 

Three pair of Stewards. 

With their Attendants, in Red Ribands, being their 
Colour, in three Gut-Carts drawn by three Affes each, 
their Aprons being lined with Red Silk, their Jewels 
pendant to Red Ribands, and their Heads properly 
adorned with emblematical Caps. 

The true Original Mafon’s Lodge, 
Upon which poor old Hyram made all his enter’d Pren- 
TICES. 
The entered ’Prentices Token, 

That is to fay, the Manner in which the Novices, or 
thofe lately admitted, fhake each other by the Hand; 
and it is by putting the Ball of the Thumb of the Right 
Hand (for we never do any Act of Mafonry with the 
Left) upon the Knuckle of the third Joint of the firft 


1744: 289 


Finger of the Brother’s Right Hand, fqueezing it gently. 
Ragged entered ’Prentices. 
Properly cloathed, giving the above Token, and the 
Word, which is Jachin. 
Three great Lights. 
Myftically refembling the Sun and Moon, and the Maf- 
ter Mafon. 
The Sun ; To Rule the Day. Hlieroglyphial. 
The Moon ; To Rule the Night. Emblematical. 
A Maifter Mafon, To Rule his Lodge. Political. 
The Letter G. The Fellow Craft’s Token. 
The Fellow-Craft, or Letter G. Men, 
A Matfter’s Lodge. 
The Funeral of Hyram. 
Grand Band of Mufick as before. 
Two Trophies. 
The Equipage of the Grand Miftrefs. 
Attendants of Honour. 
The Grand Secretary with his Infignia, &c. 
Probationif{ts and Candidates clofe the whole Proceffion. 
N.B. After the Proceffion was over, 51. was {pent at 
one of the Lodges 4 1. 19 s. 4 d. in Geneva, and 3 d. in 
bread and Cheefe; fo the Night was concluded with 
Drinking, Swearing, Fighting, and all other Demonftra- 
tions of Difturbance. 


P-t. 
1744, August 3, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1744, August 8, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. William Coffin made. 
Charles Pelham proposed by Henry Price as a candidate 
for the purpose of making him Secretary of the Lodge; 
Peter Pelham desiring to withdraw from the office. 


OiRes: PA: B: 


290 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Peter and Charles Pelham. 


Peter Pelham came to America, from London, proba- 
bly between 1724 and 1726. He was the first portrait 
painter and engraver known in New England. The 
earliest work in that line yet traced to him is his en- 
graved portrait of Rev. Cotton Mather, dated 1727. It 
is inscribed: “P. Pelham ad vivum pinxit, ab origine 
fecit et excud.”” A print of this very rare mezzotint 
hangs in the Masonic Temple in Boston. 

We learn from his advertisements in the newspapers 
of the day that from 1734 to 1748, and perhaps later, 
he kept a school where ‘““Young Gentlemen and Ladies 
may be Taught Dancing, Writing, Reading, painting 
upon Glass, and all sorts of needle work,” the last- 
named department probably being in charge of his wife. 

On the 22d of May, 1747, he married, for his second 
wife, Mrs. Mary Singleton, widow of Richard Copley 
and mother of John Singleton Copley, the celebrated 
artist and father of Lord Lyndhurst who was three times 
Lord Chancellor of England. 

Peter Pelham was made a Mason in the First Lodge 
in Boston on the 8th of November, 1738, five years after 
the Lodge was instituted. On the 26th of December, 
1739, he was elected Secretary, and the record of that 
meeting is entered in a new and beautiful handwriting, 
the same style being continued for many years. He 
served in that office until September 26, 1744, when he 
was succeeded by his son Charles. On the 13th of April, 
1750, the Third Lodge in Boston was represented in 
Grand Lodge by father and son, as Master and Junior 
Warden respectively. The records of Trinity Church, 
in Boston, where he had long worshipped, show that 


1744 291 


Peter Pelham was buried December 14, 1751. For his 
portrait, see page 232. 

Charles, the son of Peter and Martha Pelham, was 
baptized at St. Paul’s, Covent Garden, London, on the 
Oth of December, 1722. He came to America with his 
parents, when three or four years old, and is said to 
have been educated as a merchant, but in the “Boston 
News Letter” of April 23, 1762, he advertises his inten- 
tion “again to open a Dancing School” at Concert Hall. 
In April, 1765, he bought the homestead of Rev. J. 
Cotton, in Newton, with 103 acres of land, for £735. 
We are told that “he was represented by his neighbours 
to have been a very polite and intelligent man. He 
opened an academy at his own house and fitted scholars 
for College.” “He was a stanch friend of the Colony, 
as will appear by the resolutions he prepared for the 
Town.” 

In 1766 we find him teaching school in Medford, 
where, on the 6th of December of that year, he married 
Mary, daughter of Andrew Tyler by his wife Miriam, 
a sister of the famous Sir William Pepperell. A daugh- 
ter Helen married Thomas Curtis and was the mother 
of Charles Pelham Curtis, the senior member of the firm 
of C. P. & B. R. Curtis, for many years leading mem- 
bers of the Boston bar, the junior member of the firm 
serving during the later portion of his life as a Justice 
of the United States Supreme Court. 

The stepmother of Charles died on the 29th of April, 
1789, and her will named as her executor her ‘‘good 
friend, Charles Pelham, of Newton.” Late in life he 
removed to Wilmington, N. C., where he died December 
13, 1809. A portrait painted by his stepbrother, John 
Singleton Copley, is in the possession of the Curtis fam- 


292 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


ily. Representatives of two generations of that family 
now living bear the name of Charles Pelham, and it is 
by their kindness that we are able to present portraits 
of both Peter and Charles. 

On the 8th of August, 1744, “Brother (Henry) Price 
proposed Mr. Charles Pelham as a Candidate” in the 
First Lodge in Boston. He was accepted on the 22d of 
the same month, and on the 12th of September “was 
made a Mason in due Form.” On the 26th it was 
‘Voted That our late Sec’. Bro. P. Pelham be paid Ten 
Pounds, with the Thanks of the Society for his past 
Services’; also ‘‘Voted, That Bro. Charles Pelham be 
Secretary, in the Room of Our Late Secr’, who has laid 
it down.” He served the Lodge in that capacity until 
July 24, 1754, when the volume ends, and perhaps 
longer. This is the only volume of early records of the 
First Lodge now known to exist. It is the earliest book 
of Masonic Lodge Records now known to be in exist- 
ence on this continent, commencing December 27, 1738, 


and ending July 24, 1754. 


1744, August 22, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1744, September 7, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1744, September 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Charles Pelham made. 
O.RosPiGe AiB: 
Re Charles Pelham, see page 291. 


CHARLES PELHAM 
Grand Secretary 1744-1754, 








1744 293 


1744, September 26, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Charles Pelham elected 
Secretary. 

O.R.; A.B. 
1900 Mass. 124. 

On this same day Governor Belcher visits the Grand 
Lodge at London with a letter from the First Lodge in 
Boston. 

O.R. of the Grand Lodge of England. 
1871 Mass. 316. 
1888 Mass. 156. 


1744, October 5, Boston. 

The record book of the Masters Lodge under this date 
says: ‘No meeting this night, our R' W: M. and several 
of the members being out of Town on Extraordinary 
Business.” 


O.R. 


1744, October 10, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Lewis Delabraz 
(Dolobaratz) a prisoner of war elected and, by dis- 
pensation, made, gratis, “‘as he might be serviceable 
(when at Home) to any Brother whom Providence 


might cast in his way.” 
Gi iie wis. ses A: 


1744, October 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Pearson ad- 
mitted. 
O.R.; A.B. 


294 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1744, November 2, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1744, November 14, _ Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Ballard Beckford, Pro. 
G. M. of Jamaica, visited the Lodge. Peter Pelham, Jr., 


made. 


OCR tPA LD: 


1744, November 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1744, December 7, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brother William 
Coffin raised. 
OM Up etd Dien oF} 


1744, December 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1744, December 17, Boston. 
The Boston Post Boy contains the following paragraph 
under date of London, August 14, 1744. 


“We learn by Letters from Lisbon, that there has been 
lately Auto de Fe; after which feveral Jews were burnt, 
and some French Men, who were Free Mafons, and have 
been two Years in the Prisons of the Inquifition, ap- 
peared in the S. Benito on that Occafion.” 


1744 295 


1744, December 26, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. Mr. Belviel 
made. 
Cihoebi ser AL By 
1 Mass. 8. 


1744, December 27, Boston. 
Celebration of the Festival by the Grand Lodge. 
O.R. of First Lodge. 
1 Mass. 9. 


1744/5, January 4, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Election. Brothers 
Edward Ellis and Lewis Demouline raised. 


COR Sb Ac bs: 


1744/5, January 9, ___ Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1744/5, January 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Robert Glover 
admitted. James Gough made. 
One 2)523: A.B: 


1744/5, February 1, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R. 


1744/5, February 13, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
Danse AG, 


296 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1744/5, February 27, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1744/5, March 1, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
ORI 


1744/5, March 13, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Richard Hood made. 
Orne.) Pe nets 


1744/5, March 22, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brother Robert 
Glover raised. 


Oi ntare d ea 6 


CuapTer XIX 


1745 
1745, March 27, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1745, April 10, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
Onnvr Aso: 
1745, April 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Daniel Marquand made. 
OORS Ps eA: 
1745, May 2, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R. 
1745, May 8, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1745, May 22, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. John Colson made. 
GA ahaa bd & 
1745, June 7, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R. 


297 


298 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1745, June 12, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 

1745, June 18, Boston. 


“Stephen Greenleaf, Mathematical Instrument Maker, 
in Queen Street, Boston, opposite to the Prison,” adver- 
tises to make ‘‘Free Masons Jewels.” 

Boston Gazette. 


1745, June 24, Boston. 
Celebration of the Festival by the Grand Lodge. 
Thirty-three Brethren in attendance. 
O.R. and A.B. of First Lodge. 


1745, June 26, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1745, July 1, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Daniel Byles and Capt. 
John (James) Heweton made. 


OH edna le Ul ee 


1745, July 10, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Richard Smith made. 
Ol te Paes AT Be 


1745, July 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. William Coffin, Jr., 
made. 


O) Ra: Pie vALb: 


1745 299 


1745, August 2, Boston. 

Meeting of the Masters Lodge. After this meeting the 
following is written in the record book: ‘Adjourned ’till 
Octo" ye 4th; for substantial reasons from time to time.” 


O.R. 


1745, August 14, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Antho. D’Laboladree 
(D’Laboulerdree), and Peter Phill Chas. St. Paul made. 

Ol Ul ea beg 

The Pelham List furnishes the information that 
Thomas Cross was admitted. In this respect the list must 
be in error for he is recorded as a Visitor as late as No- 
vember 13, 1745, on the Original Record. 


1745, August 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1745, September 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1745, September 25, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 


O.R.; A.B. 
1745, October 4, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R. 
1745, October 9, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.;R: | A.B: 


300 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1745, October 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1745, November 1, Boston. 

Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brothers Thomas 
Cross and Charles Pelham raised. At the same meeting 
Charles Pelham is elected Secretary and the handwriting 
changes from Henry Johnson’s to his. 


O.R. 


1744, November 13, _ Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Price reported 
that the Masters Lodge had voted a set of Candles to 
this Lodge. 

O.R.; A.B. 


1745, November 27, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1745, December 6, Boston. 
Mecting of the Masters Lodge. Election. 
O.R. 


1745, December 11, — Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1745, December 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. William Mer- 
chant made. 
OyReesP: 2A: 
1 Mass. 9. 


1745 301 


1745/6, January 8, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brothers Thomas 
James Gruchy and James Gough raised. 
OURO BS 
The same evening the First Lodge met and immedi- 
ately adjourned. 
Oy rests Ts: 


1745/6, January 22, Boston. 

- Meeting of the First Lodge. The records state that 
the Lodge being opened, ‘“‘Bro. Jones being but an En- 
ter’'d Apprentice (by his earnest desire) made a Fellow 
Craft in due Form & Voted Mem".” 

Brothers John Phillips and Richard Gridley admitted. 
Cee elie css 


1745/6, February 7, —_ Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O:Res AD: 


1745/6, February 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1745/6, February 26, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1745/6, March 7, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


302 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1745/6, March 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Barnard Townsend and 
Benjamin Brimston (Brimsdon) made. 
OLR Pele eALb, 


1745/6, March 26, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
OH Rid vo ays 


CHAPTER XX 
1746 


1746, April 4, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brother Richard 
Gridley raised. 
1916 Mass. 30. 
O.R.; A.B. 


Richard Gridley. 


Richard Gridley was born in Boston on January 3, 
1710, the youngest of six children of Richard and Re- 
becca Gridley. As his elder brother had entered the law, 
it was the desire of his parents that Richard should 
enter a business career, and he was apprenticed to Mr. 
Atkinson, a wholesale merchant of Boston. Brother 
Huntoon says, “Apt and learned in the arts and sciences, 
he was one of the greatest mathematicians of his day; of 
romantic honour, chivalrous ambition, and adventurous 
bravery; nature made him a soldier, and art could not 
make him a merchant.”” He became a surveyor and civil 
engineer. He was the first, and for a long time the only 
gauger in America. He was the projector of Long 
Wharf, which was constructed according to his plan. He 
became proficient in military science in part through as- 
sociation with John Henry Bastide who became Director 
of His Majesty’s Engineers and Chief Engineer of Nova 
Scotia. 

303 


304 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


In the southeastern part of Cape Breton was the city 
of Louisburgh. It was perhaps the best fortified city in 
America. To this city in 1745, the New England Colo- 
nists laid siege under the command of Colonel William 
Pepperrell. Gridley was commissioned “Lieutenant 
Colonel” and ‘Captain of Train and Company,” and 
was given the command of the Grand or Royal Battery, 
which stood directly opposite the Harbour of Louis- 
burgh and which was captured by His Majesty’s forces 
on May 2, 1745. On August Ist Governor Shirley com- 
missioned him First Bombardier, and he continued in the 
double capacity of First Captain of Artillery and First 
Bombardier until the end of the siege. Such was his 
skill that he succeeded on the third fire in dropping a 
shell directly into the citadel, which was the immediate 
cause of the surrender of the city. All of the Pepperrell 
batteries were erected by Gridley. In this command he 
won his first military laurels. Returning home, he drew 
the designs for a battery and other fortifications on Gov- 
ernor’s Island in Boston Harbor, and then left the mili- 
tary service in 1749. Again taking up fortification work, 
in 1752 he erected Fort Halifax on the Kennebec River. 
In 1755 he was Chief Engineer of the Army and later 
in the year was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the 
Provincial Artillery and Colonel of Infantry, drawing 
pay in both positions. He joined the expedition against 
Crown Point and under his supervision all the fortifica- 
tions around Lake George were constructed. On August 
4, 1756, he was selected by General Winslow to attend 
him in a visit to His Excellency the Earl of Loudoun, 
Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England, 
then Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty’s forces in 
America. This year Paul Revere, who had just become 


1746 305 


of age, was commissioned Second Lieutenant in Grid- 
ley’s Regiment. 

Cape Breton having been restored to France, Louis- 
burgh, in 1758, again became the seat of war. Gridley 
participated in the siege and was present at the second 
taking of the city. In 1759, he was appointed by Gen- 
eral Amherst to command the Provincial Artillery, 
which was about to besiege Quebec. It was Gridley’s 
corps that dragged up to the Plains of Abraham the only 
two field pieces which were raised to the Heights. Grid- 
ley stood by the side of General Wolfe when that gallant 
officer fell victorious. Gridley then went to England to 
adjust his accounts with the government. For his dis- 
tinguished services he was given the Magdalen Isles, and 
one-half pay as a British officer. For several years there- 
after he maintained his home upon these islands, but in 
1762 purchased a house in Prince Street in Boston. In 
1770, in connection with Edmund Quincy, he entered 
the business of smelting ore in Sharon, leaving there in 
1773. 

In 1774 he signed a secret agreement with his intimate 
friend, General Joseph Warren, pledging each other that 
in the event of hostilities with the Mother Country they 
would join the Patriot Army. When his British agent 
in England requested to be informed upon which side he 
would take up arms, he replied: “I shall fight for justice 
and my country,’ and cast his lot with the Patriots. 
April 21, 1775, he was summoned to attend the Com- 
mittee of Safety, and was appointed to the command of 
the First Regiment of Artillery, the only artillery regi- 
ment in the Provinces at the opening of the war. On 
April 23rd he was appointed Chief Engineer of the Pa- 
triot forces and voted a pension for life. On April 26th 


306 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


he entered the service and planned the fortification of 
Bunker’s Hill. On the 16th of June, 1775, the Patriot 
troops assembled on Cambridge Common and marched 
silently to Charlestown. Upon arrival acrimonious dis- 
cussion arose as to whether Breed’s Hill or Bunker’s Hill 
was the proper one for fortifications. Gridley with all 
his force argued that Bunker’s Hill was the only one 
whereon to erect breastworks. One of the Generals coin- 
cided with him, but the other was stubborn and deter- 
mined not to yield. At length Gridley said to the latter, 
“Sir, the moments are precious, we must decide at once. 
Since you will not give up your individual opinion to 
ours, we will give it up to you. Action, and that in- 
stantly, only can save us.”’ Gridley at once in person 
marked the place for the fortifications, gave orders, and 
even worked himself, spade in hand. Though this battle 
is generally known as the Battle of Bunker Hill, the fact 
is that the fortifications were erected and the fight staged 
on Breed’s Hill. Military authorities tell us that Grid- 
ley’s choice would have been much better. The next 
morning, the 17th of June, Gridley, owing to his age and 
the exhausting labour of the previous night, was sick and 
obliged to leave the hill, although he resolved so as to 
return later in the day and take command of his own 
battery, which consisted of ten companies and four 
hundred and seventeen men. It had only two brass 
pieces and six iron six-pounders. He was near to Warren 
when he fell. Almost at the same moment Gridley was 
struck by a musket ball and was unable to continue 
longer in the fight. Only two days after, however, as- 
sisted by one of his sons, he took charge of a battery at 
the Highlands. 

To the skill and ingenuity of Richard Gridley America 


1746 307 


is indebted for the first cannon and mortars ever cast in 
this country. 

On September 20, 1775, he received from the Provin- 
cial Congress the rank of Major General. Washington 
said of him that there was no one better qualified to serve 
as Chief Engineer of the army. But the infirmities of 
age were creeping upon him. MHe was obliged to resign 
his commission, and the council of officers agreed that it 
was better to place the command of the artillery in 
younger hands. Nevertheless in March, 1776, he di- 
rected the fortifying of Dorchester Heights, and they 
were made so formidable that the British dared not attack 
them and deemed it best to evacuate Boston. After the 
evacuation, he was entrusted by Washington with the 
duty of demolishing the British intrenchments on the 
Neck, and after these were destroyed he laid out and 
strengthened various fortifications in and about the city. 

On the 8th of April, 1776, the body of Major General 
Joseph Warren was reinterred, Bunker’s Hill having 
again come into the possession of the Americans, and 
Richard Gridley was one of the pallbearers. Twelve 
days after, he was ordered by Washington to attend to 
the fortifications on Cape Ann and protect the harbour 
of Gloucester. His last military work which 1s his- 
torically demonstrable was upon the fortifications at Cas- 
tle William and Governor’s Island from March, 1778, to 
the first of January, 1781. The strength of his patriot- 
ism was certainly tested at this time for we find that in 
1780 he wrote to Major General Heath that he had had 
no pay for thirteen months, and begged that something 
should be sent to him. His last appearance in public 
was in 1795, when he assisted in laying the corner-stone 
of the State House with Masonic ceremonies. 


308 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Our first knowledge of him Masonically is that on 
January 22, 1745/6 he was made or admitted a member 
of the First Lodge in Boston, receiving the Degree of 
Master Mason in the Masters Lodge on April 4, 1746. 
He was Junior Warden of the Masters Lodge in 1753 
and 1754, Senior Warden of the Second Lodge in 1755, 
Master of the Masters Lodge in 1756, and Master of 
the First Lodge in 1757. In Grand Lodge he was Junior 
Grand Warden in 1758 and 1759 and Senior Grand 
Warden in 1760 and the early part of 1761. Again he 
appears as Master of the Masters Lodge in 1763 and 
1764, serving during the same years as Senior Grand 
Warden of the Grand Lodge. When R. W. John Rowe 
was chosen Provincial Grand Master after the death of 
Jeremy Gridley he appointed on January 22, 1768, 
R. W. Richard Gridley, Past Grand Warden, to be Dep- 
uty Grand Master, and in this position Richard Gridley 
continued until after the death of John Rowe, and as 
late as August 4, 1787. On numerous occasions other 
than those already stated we find him constituting 
Lodges under special commissions. 

Much has been said and written of his manly character, 
his urbanity, his uniform politeness, and graceful de- 
meanor, as well as of his charitable and philanthropic 
disposition. His personal appearance was that of a 
handsome, remarkably tall, commanding presence, with 
a frame firm and vigorous, and a constitution like iron. 
His death, which occurred on June 21, 1796, was caused 
by blood poisoning, and on Thursday, the 23rd, he was 
buried in a small enclosure near his home. On October 
28, 1876, his body was disinterred and conveyed to the 
cemetery in Canton, where the remains were reinterred 
and a monument was erected over his grave. 


1746 309 


See oration (ef czt.) by Daniel T. V. Huntoon at the 
Memorial Services of Commemoration Day, held in Can- 
ton, May 30, 1877, under the auspices of Revere En- 
campment, Post 94, Grand Army of the Republic; also 

1 Mass. passém. 


1746, April 9, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
OR: ALB: 
1746, April 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1746, April 29, Jamaica. 


Lodge Constituted at St. Jago de la Vega (now Span- 
ish Town), Jamaica. 


O.L: 
Entick 337. 
L.M.R. 89. 
Prichard 29 
1746, May 2, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
OiRi-7A.B: 
1746, May 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1746, May 29, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Robert Williams made. 
©7R:: P.L.; A.B: 


310 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1746, June 6, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1746, June 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1746, June 24, Boston. 


Celebration of the Festival by the Grand Lodge, 
twenty-five Brethren in attendance. 


O.R. of First Lodge. 


1746, June 25, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1746, July 4, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Election. Brother 
Joseph Holbrook raised. 


OURS Peli vAcb. 
1746, July 9, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1746, July 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1746, August I, Boston. 


Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1746 311 


1746, August 13, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
OE A.B: 
1746, August 27, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1746, September 5, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1746, September 10, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
ORS sAtb: 


1746, September 24, Boston. 
The records of the First Lodge state that by reason of 
an “Alarm of French Fleet” the Lodge was not opened. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1883 Mass. 165. 


1746, October 3, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
ORT tAB: 


1746, October 8, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Rev. John Woods made. 
OTR Pi bs:2Alb: 


1746, October 13, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Robert McKennen 
(Mackinen) made. 
OR eR BAB: 


312 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1746, October 22, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R. 
A.B. records this meeting as the 24th. 


1746, November 7, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brother Rev. John 
Woods raised. 
OORe3 Ee AaD: 


1746, November 12, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. John Bradford and 
Joseph Sherburne made. James Buck ‘made for a 
Lylar © 

O.R.: Poe ASB: 


1746, November 26, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1746, December 5, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Election. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1746, December 10, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Fee for making raised 
from 15 Pounds to 20 Pounds. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1746, December 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. 
Voted: ‘“That all Visiting Bro™ who are Town inhabi- 


1746 313 


tants shall pay 15/ each night, and Transient persons 
lu 
O.R.; A.B. 


Boston—Newfoundland. 
Pro. G. M. Oxnard grants a Constitution for a Lodge 
to be held in Newfoundland. 
1 Mass. 9. 
L.M.R. 472. 


1746/7, January 2, _ Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1746/7, January 14, __ Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. James Day, Jonathan 
Prescott, Newcoming Herbert, Andrew Irwin, Andrew 
Dure, Joseph Aberry, and Estes Hatch made. Brother 
Jonathan Rush ‘“‘made F. C.”’ Brother Robert Cummins 
admitted. 

CURES. Ae 


1746/7, January 16, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. Election. Capt. Nathaniel 
Pierce made. 


O.R. 


1746/7, January 28, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. William Day, 
Peter Hammond, William Martin, and Simeon Patter 
made and admitted. Rev. Brother Charles Brockwell, 
King’s Chaplain, admitted. 

Gon aE te A.B; 


314 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1746/7, February 5, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1746/7, February 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Benjamin Stans- 
bury admitted. 
O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 


1746/7, February 25, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1746/7, March 7, Boston. 

Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brothers Samuel 
Waterhouse, James Day, John Colson (Collson), and 
Robert Williams raised. 

OG a eget ig a Ee Pei \d ob 


1746/7, March 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1746, Nova Scotia. 

Lord Cranstoun, Grand Master of England, appointed 
Robert Commins, Provincial Grand Master for Cape 
Breton and Louisburgh. 

Preston (Portsmouth, 1804) 192. 
Entick 334. 
PIG \2ndsbne wid) a6: 

Respecting Capt. Robert Commins little or nothing 
is known. His name is not to be found in any naval 
history nor is it in any account of the war operations 


1746 315 


which preceded the capture of either Louisburgh or 
Quebec. Commins may have been an army officer al- 
though searches have not found his name in the army 
list of 1749. Along about this time there were many 
traders between New England ports and Louisburgh and 
Commins may have been one of these. With so little 
known about Commins and the practical certainty that 
he did not exercise his commission, we may with pro- 
priety dismiss him from further consideration. 

1 Nova Scotia Lodge of Research 3, page 44. 

Cf. Closing items of Chapters XI and XII; also 

1746/7, January 14. 


CuHapTer XXI 


1747 
1747, March 25, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
Quis ACB: 
1747, April 3, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1747, April 8, - Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1747, April 22, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O-Re ALB: 
1747, May 1, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1747, May 13, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1747, May 27, Boston 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Andrew Mc- 
Kenzie admitted. 


O.R.; A.B. 
316 


1747 317 


The Pelham List says “pass’d F.C.”’ But it is wrong. 

McKenzie was pass’d July 22, 1747. 
O.R. 

The few errors which from time to time we find in 
the Pelham List, in the Beteilhe Manuscript, in the 
Barons Letter, and in the records prove their general 
correctness. In them there are no more errors than the 
average secretary or copyist makes in his work. The fact 
also that names are often differently spelled, although 
tdem sonans, is a further indication that much of Pel- 
ham’s information was obtained from other sources than 
the books now in our possession. The agreement, how- 
ever, between the original Proceedings which we have 
and the Pelham List from January 10, 1738/9, to Au- 
gust 28, 1751, is the best possible evidence of the cor- 
rectness of the List for the period from July 30, 1733, 
to November 8, 1738, a period for which we have no 
original records except now and then a document such as 
the petition of July 30, 1733, the Beteilhe Manuscript, 
and others cited supra. In this connection the surpris- 
ingly accurate agreement between the Pelham List, the 
Beteilhe Manuscript, and the Barons Letter for the 
periods when they overlap is worthy of special notice. 
All of these facts and others noted now and then szpra 
give remarkable proof that we may rely upon the Pelham 
List except for such an occasional error as might be 
made by a reasonably accurate scrivener. 

(Notre. As a modern instance of just such errors 
creeping in, note instances in the article on The Estab- 
lishment and Early Days of Masonry in America, found 
in 1914 Mass. 243 to 288, and in The Budlder for the 
months of May, August and October, 1915, g.v. The 
date of Henry Price’s commission is given as April~2, 


318 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1733, which should of course have been April 13, 1733. 
The Provincial Grand Lodge of New South Wales in 
June, 1727, was referred to. It should of course have 
been South Wales. The date of the Deputation to 
Philipps as Provincial Grand Master for Nova Scotia 
was stated as 1740 when it should have been 1738. The 
date of the Portsmouth petition was quoted as February 
9, 1735/6, instead of February 5; and the establishment 
of the Second Lodge in Boston February 17 instead of 
February 15, 1750. The author has gone over this book 
dozens of times, yet some such errors may escape him 
and a number of other Brethren who have kindly assisted 
him by verifying citations, etc. ) 

Henry Price himself made a similar error on one oc- 
casion by stating that his extension of authority over all 
North America was in 1735 instead of 1734. 

1914 Mass. 270. 

1871 Mass. 330. 

See Chapter II, 4, c, and e; 
also 1739, July 25, supra. 


1747, June 5, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1747, June 6, West Indies. 
Lodge Constituted by the Grand Master of England at 
St. Eustatius. 
O.L. 
Entick 337. 
L.M.R. 90. 
Prichard says January 6, 1747, but he is wrong. 


1747 319 


1747, June 10, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1747, June 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
Cr. e4Ac DB. 
i747, July 3, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Election. 
QR .2vAlB. 
1747, July 8, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1747, July 22, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Archibald Gray- 
ham made. 


else R: 
Brother Andrew McKenzie “‘Rais’d F.C. in due Form.” 
O.R.; A.B. 
1747, August 7, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
Oe vA: Bb: 
1747, August 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
ORes A.B! 
1747, August 26, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Committee appointed to 


320 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


send congratulations to Governor Belcher upon his ap- 
pointment as Governor of the Jerseys (New Jersey). 
O.R.; A.B. 
1 Mass. 391. 
1883 Mass. 162. 


1747, September 3, Boston. 

Letter of congratulation sent from the Provincial 
Grand Master and from the First Lodge to Governor 
Belcher upon his safe arrival to assume his new office 
as Governor of the Jerseys (New Jersey). 

1 Mass. 391. 
1871 Mass. 376. 
O.R. of First Lodge for September 9, 1747. 


1747, September 4, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1747, September 9, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. John Ray (Rae) made. 
The report of the committee appointed to send con- 
eratulations to Governor Belcher together with their 
letter is spread in full upon the records. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1883 Mass. 163. 


1747, September 18, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. Samuel Solly, Charles Gor- 
wood, John Salmon, and Alexander Malcum made. 


O.R. 


1747 321 


1747, September 23, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. 

O.R.; A.B. 

The Pelham List gives Robert Bowers as made, John 
Salmon as passed on this evening. ‘The record is silent 
as to both. 

See 1747, October 28, znfra. 


1747, September 24 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge at which a vote was passed that 
application be made to Pro. G. M. Oxnard that there be 
a Provincial Grand Master for New Hampshire. 


O.R. 
1747, October 2, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1747, October 6, 

Governor Jonathan Belcher from Kingswood House in 
the City of Burlington wrote to R. W. Thomas Oxnard, 
Esq., Provincial Grand Master of North America, and 
the Master, Wardens and Fellows of the First Lodge in 
Boston, a letter in acknowledgment of and thanks for 
the letter of September 3, 1747. 

1 Mass. 392. 
O.R. of First Lodge for November 11, 1747. 


1747, October 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brothers John Salmon 
and Robert Bowers admitted. a 
ine: AJB: 


322 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1747, October 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Charles Gor- 
wood passed. 
OFAViPE: 
Brother John Salmon passed and Brother John Rowe 
admitted. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1747, November 3, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. John Conally (Conolly, 
Connally), Hugh Hardgrove, and Sampson Hodge made. 
ODP Pils Are 


1747, November 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Letter of October 6, 
1747, from Governor Belcher read and recorded. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1 Mass. 392. 
1883 Mass. 163. 


1747, November 25, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Alexander Mal- 
colm passed and admitted. 


@ Pan vated CA) ates Wl 8 


1747, December 9, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1 Mass. 9. 


1747, December 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. John Husk 
(Huske) made. 
Ome PL eeArD. 


1747 323 


1747/8, January 13, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Rev. Alexander Malcom, 
Capt. Aeneas Mackay (McKay), Samuel Levins, ‘Thomas 
Newton, and Samuel Stone (‘‘Master of the House’) 
made. 


OAee bls? AL Bt 


1747/8, January 15, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. 
O.R. 


1747/8, January 21, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. 
O.R. 


1747/8, January 25, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. 
O.R. 


1747/8, January 27, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Capts. William Norris, 
Thomas Bogle, and Pat. Montgomery (Montgomerie ) 
made. 


ORs bytes Asp, 


1747/8, February 5, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Election. 
O.R.; A.B. 


324 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1747/8, February 10, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Jonathan Dwight and 
James Abercrombie made. 


OF) BS iy Wak ad Bp 


1747/8, February 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Paul Binney made. 
OLR ag Ac 


1747/8, March 4, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brother John Husk 
(Huske) raised. 
OR bls sat, 


1747/8, March 9, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1747/8, March 23, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Benjamin Smithers 
made. 


OS lets, 


CHAPTER XXII 
1748 


1748, April 1, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brother Andrew Mc- 
Kenzie raised. 


OR Ral ACB: 


1748, April 13, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1748, April 21, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. 


O.R. 
1748, April 27, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1748, May 6, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1748, May 11, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Jeremiah (Jeremy) 
Gridley and Belshr (Belthar) Bayard made. 


O00 4 S52 1H LER NG sy, 
325 


326 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Jeremy Gridley. 


Jeremiah Gridley was born in Boston, March 10, 
1701/2. We refer to him as Jeremy Gridley because 
during the larger part of his adult career he wrote his 
name that way, and by that name received his appoint- 
ment as Provincial Grand Master of Masons in North 
America. 

He graduated from Harvard in 1725 and became a 
school teacher, but while engaged in teaching and for 
some time afterwards he studied theology and general 
literature and occasionally preached. From Harvard he 
received the degree of A.M. on June 28, 1728. On Oc- 
tober 26, 1727, he was elected usher or assistant to Dr. 
Nathaniel Williams in the public grammar school in Bos- 
ton at a salary of thirty pounds per year, which was 
raised from time to time until he received a maximum of 
one hundred pounds per year from May 5, 1731. 

While still teaching he married Abigail Lewis, the 
daughter of Hon. Ezekiel Lewis, a prominent Bostonian 
who was during his life a school teacher, selectman, repre- 
sentative, counsellor, and merchant. I am unable to find 
the date of the marriage, but its issue were Abigail, born 
August 8, 1731; Sarah, born April 4, 1736, and Rebecca, 
born April 25, 1741. 

While still teaching he, in 1731, founded The Weekly 
Rehearsal, one of the earliest of the Boston newspapers. 
Past Grand Master Isaiah Thomas in his Héstory of 
Printing (1810 edition, Volume 1, page 327) states that 
The Weekly Rehearsal “was carried on at the expense of 
some gentlemen who formed themselves into a political 
or literary club and wrote for it. At the head of this 
club was the late celebrated Jeremy Gridley who was the 


1748 327 


real editor of the paper.” He ceased connection with this 
paper on April 2, 1733, when Thomas Fleet became its 
sole proprietor and publisher, who continued it until Au- 
gust 11, 1735, after which it was replaced by The Boston 
Evening-Post. Copies of all but four issues of The 
Weekly Rehearsal are known, most of them being in the 
library of the American Antiquarian Society at Worces- 
ter, Mass. This was the first newspaper or magazine 
published in America having any substantial claim to 
literary merit. High encomiums are paid by reviewers 
and critics to the elegant and classical style of Gridley’s 
contributions. 

Meanwhile he was studying law and was admitted to 
the Bar probably about the time of his resignation as 
usher in Mr. Nathaniel Williams’s School where, on Feb- 
ruary 4, 1733/4, he was succeeded by Nathaniel Oliver, 
Jr. 

Little is known about his early days at the Bar, except 
that he speedily rose to a commanding position. On 
March 17, 1741/2, the Selectmen of Boston voted to en- 
gage John Overing and Jeremy Gridley as Town Counsel 
in impending litigation which, by the way, the town lost. 
June 10, 1742, he was, for the first time, chosen Attorney 
General by both Houses of Assembly. 

On April 13, 1748, he was proposed to the First Lodge 
by Past Grand Master Henry Price, was elected April 27 
and made a Mason May 11. Almost immediately there- 
after he went to England carrying a letter of recom- 
mendation from the Brethren in Boston. 

On September 21, 1748, he presented in London to the 
Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the Treas- 
ury an important Memorial from the men of affairs in 
New England, with regard to the depreciation of the cur- 


328 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


rency and the establishment of a stable basis of exchange. 
It may be found in The Boston News Letter for Novem- 
ber 25, 1748. 

Gridley did not attend Lodge in Boston again until 
December 7, 1750, when he was raised in the Masters 
Lodge. 

Our customs differ much from those of the period of 
Gridley’s life. Then very few progressed beyond the 
grade of Entered Apprentice. Occasionally a Brother 
was “raised Fellow Craft” and admitted a member of 
the Lodge. But the membership was small and hm- 
ited. Many were made who never became members. 
Gridley, indeed, did not become a member of the First 
Lodge until January 25, 1753. Meantime he was active. 
Almost immediately after his raising he became a legal 
adviser to the Fraternity. 

Thomas Fleet published in The Boston Evening-Post 
for January 7, 1751, some doggerel verse and a picture, 
both reflecting upon the Fraternity and too filthy and 
disgusting to be reproduced. It greatly disturbed the 
Brethren. 

A meeting of the First Lodge was held on January 9, 
1750/1, at which many Brethren not members were in 
attendance, among them Brother Gridley. After full dis- 
cussion the following votes were passed: 


‘Voted, That no Bro. Present, shall for the future take 
any News Paper Printed by Thos. Fleet, or that said 
Fleet may be Concerned in. 

Voted, That no Bro. Present shall give any encourage- 
ment to sd. Fleets Paper; or to him in his Business by 
Advertisements or Otherways. 

Voted, That Brors. Oxnard, L. Colvil, Gridley, Mc- 
Daniel, Brockwell, Rowe & Price, be a Committee, to 


1748 329 


wait upon the Lieut. Governour, & Council, to Complain 
against a Scandelous piece of Ribaldry in sd. Fleets 
Paper, and pray their Order for Prosecuting the Printer 
their of. 

Voted, That the Treasr. of this Lodge do pay unto sd. 
Committe our proportion of whatever Expense may 
Acrue upon a Procecution of the aforesaid Fleet, or 
others, should such Prosecution Ensue.” 


The Grand Lodge on January 11, 1750/1, also invited 
Gridley’s attendance and 


Voted: “That Letters be sent to the Several Lodges 
abroad under Our Rt W: G. M. acquainting them of the 
scandilous piece of Ribaldry in T. Fleets paper, and In- 
structing them by all means to discourage sd paper &c., 
and it was desir’d of Bro. Gridley to form sd Letters 
which he propos’d to do.” 


Evidently the matter was again discussed in Grand 
Lodge on April 12, 1751, for Brother Gridley attended, 
though no formal action is recorded. 

After his raising, Brother Gridley was attentive to his 
duties in the Masters Lodge, becoming Junior Warden 
December 1, 1752, and Senior Warden July 6, 1753. 
He was the active member of a Committee which revised 
its By-Laws according to a report presented and adopted 
December 7, 1753. 

Brother Gridley retired from office in the Masters 
Lodge December 7, 1753, evidently in anticipation of 
his unanimous election as Master of the First Lodge, De- 
cember 26, 1753. In passing, it is interesting to note 
his presence at the Masters Lodge on January 4, 1754, 
when his pupil, associate at the Bar, and opponent in 
the great case regarding the Writs of Assistance, James 
Otis, was raised. 


330 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


October 11, 1754, at a Grand Lodge held by Henry 
Price after the death of Thomas Oxnard and attended 
by our Brother Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia, a 
petition was adopted for Gridley’s appointment as Grand 
Master. This petition is an historic document, and sets 
forth many facts of great interest well known to the 
Brethren at that time. 

It reads as follows: 


“To the Right Honourable and Right Worshipfull 
James Brydges Marquis of Carnarvan Grand Master of 
the Free and Accepted Masons of England. 

The Petition of the Grand Committee of the Grand 
Lodge whose names are hereunto Subscribed 3 in behalf of 


said “Lodge 


HuMBLyY SHEWETH 


That last June it pleased Allmighty God to vacate 
Solomons Chair by the death of Our late Right Wor- 
shipfull Grand Master Thomas Oxnard Esq" upon which 
Our Right Worshipfull Brother M" Henry Price for- 
merly Grand Master Reasumed the Chair Pro tempore, 
and at the Grand Lodge or Quarterly Communication 
held at the Concert Hall in Boston October 11 5754 
it was voted that a Petition should be drawn up and Pre- 
sented to your Lordship praying that all Future Grand 
Masters should be deputed for three years only, but 
With this Reservation that notwithstanding if the Lodge 
should see cause to Continue the same Grand Master 
longer in the Chair the said Deputation should continue 
and remain in full force the said Continued Term, and 
that he should remain Grand Master from the Expiration 
of the time of his First appointment or Continuance to 
the Instalment of another. 

We therefore humbly sollicit your Lordships concur- 
rence with the said Vote, and Request your deputation 


1748 331 


in favour of Our Right Worshipfull Bro™ Jeremy Grid- 
ley Esq" Councellour at Law our Grand Master Elect. 
And Whereas Masonry Originated Here anno 5733, 
and in the year following Our then G. M. Price received 
orders from G. M. Craufurd to Establish Masonry in all 
North America in Pursuance of which the Several Lodges 
hereafter mentioned have rec* Constitutions from us. 
We therefore Crave due Precedency, & that in order 
thereunto Our G. M. Elect, may in his deputation be 
stiled G M of all North America, and your Petitioners 
as in duty Bound shall ever Pray. 
Hucu McDanier 
BENJAMIN HAaLLowELL 
CHARLES BROCKWELL 
JAMES FoRBES 
RoBertT JENKINS 
WILLIAM COFFIN 
Henry LEeppELv’”’ 
See Chapter VII, supra. 


There was considerable delay in receiving a reply to 
this petition from the Grand Master in London, and on 
August 6, 1755, Henry Price wrote a letter supplement- 
ing this petition, as follows: 


“Worthy and Dear Bro*:—It was with the utmost 
pleasure I saw a Letter from you to the Hcn”® Peter 
Leigh Esq" with his Deputation appointing him Grand 
Master of South Carolina the last year and whom I have 
had the pleasure of Seeing in our Lodges in Boston. 

I would Inform you that as I Rec* my Deputation 
from the Right Hon’'® Lord Montague in April 1733 
Signed by Tho* Batson Esq" D.G.M. George Rook and 
James Moor Smith Esq™ G. W., made out by Bro” Reed 
late Grand Secretary for North America, which I held 
four Years and Constituted several Lodges, and was suc- 


332 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


ceeded in the office by Br: Tomlinson, and after him 
Bro: Oxnard who Dying it Reverted back to me again 
according to the Constitutions. Now with my consent all 
the Brethren in North America have made Choice of our 
Bro’ Jeremy Gridley Esq" Councellor at Law to be Grand 
Master for Three Years, and then the Brethren to have 
power to Continue him or apply for a new Grand Master, 
and as our numbers of Gentlemn increase here and we 
are the oldest (or first Constituted) Regular Lodge in 
America We have made application to the Grand Master 
of England for our said Bro* Gridley, which application 
and Three Guineas we sent per Cap‘ John Phillips last 
Dec to our Rev® Bro. Entick Minister at Stepney desiring 
him to forward the affair, but we are Surpriz’d that we 
have not yet Rec’d the Deputation, nor a Line from Bro 
Entick, whose Receipt we have for The Three Guineas 
p® to him by the said Cap‘ John Phillips who using the 
London Trade may be now found at the new England 
Coffee House at Change Time. 

I Therefore beg the favour of you to make enquiry 
after the Money, and application Transmitted as afore- 
said to Bro’ Entick and as much as in you lies forw® the 
affair, which I shall acknowledge as a great favour and 
will be a Service to Masonry in These parts. 

Masonry has had as great Success in America since my 
Settling here as in any part of the World (except Eng- 
land). Here is not less than Forty Lodges sprung from 
my First Lodge in Boston. Therefore we desire that our 
Deputation may be made out for all North America or 
over all North America. I shall be glad of a few Lines 
from you even though you should have made out and 
forwarded our Deputation before this Reaches you; as I 
shall have sundry things to Communicate to you from 
Time to Time and cannot do it but by Letter to you, 
most of my old acquaintance of Masons being either Dead 
or Remov’d from London. I have some remote thoughts 
of once more seeing London with all my Brethren in the 
Grand Lodge after Twenty Two years absence, In the 


1748 333 


mean Time I am Sir! Your most affect® and faithful Bro’ 
and Hum?” Serv‘ 
Boston New England 

August 6, 1755 

(Endorsed ) 
Copy of a Letter 
Desiring J. Gridley’s Dep. 
Nv ayay 


The Deputation, however, was already on its way 
and arrived in Boston August 21, 1755, and was ordered 
to be recorded upon the minutes of the Grand Lodge 
where it may be found in full (1 Mass. 40). On Au- 
gust 25, 1755, a Special Committee of the Grand Lodge 
met to make plans for the “Installment” and on Septem- 
ber 22nd a Special Communication of the Grand Lodge 
was held to ‘“‘chuse Stewards to Provide for the Feast at 
the Instalment of the Grand Master.”’ These elaborate 
preparations for the Instalment came to fruition October 
1, 1755. This was made an occasion of considerable 
ceremony. The official account in the Proceedings of the 
Grand Lodge reads as follows: 


At a Grand Lodge Held at Concert Hall this day The 
Right Worshipful Jeremy Gridley Esqr, appointed 
Grand Master of Masons in North America, by the Right 
Worshipful the Marquis of Carnarvon Grand Master of 
Masons, was installed in that office (at Concert Hall). 
The three Lodges in this Town and the Master & War- 
dens of the Portsmouth Lodge in New Hampshire with 
a great number of Brothers were present Cloathed with 
White Aprons and Gloves, and after the Instalment, ac- 
companied their Grand Master in Procession to Trinity 
Church in this order, First Walked the Sword Bearer, 
carrying a drawn Sword, in one hand and the Book of 
Constitutions in the other, Next came the Several Lodges 


334 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


according to their Juniority, closed with the Wardens 
and Master, cloathed with their Jewells, Four Stewards 
with white wands went before the Grand Treasurer and 
Secretary cloathed with their Jewels, who were followed 
by the Past Grand Officers, after these walked the Grand 
Wardens with their Jewels, and the Present and the late 
Grand Master cloathed with their Jewels and Badges, 
closed the Procession. At Church the Revd Mr. Hooper 
read Prayers, and the Revd. Mr. Brown Preached an ex- 
cellent Sermon on the occasion to a Numerous and Polite 
Audience, after Service the Sword Bearer and Stewards 
walked before the Grand Master, and the Procession was 
made in a reversed order back to Concert Hall, where an 
Elegant Dinner was prepared, and the afternoon was 
Spent in Harmony and Mirth. The whole Ceremony 
and attendance was with the greatest Decency, and made 
a Genteel appearance. 


This record is supplemented by a list of names of 
Brethren, sixty-seven in number, including the foremost 
men of Boston and vicinity in all trades and professions. 

The original records of the Lodge at Portsmouth, N. 
H., for the meeting of October 16, 1755, set forth that 


Last Lodge night being first night of the Quarter there 
was no Lodge held the Master & Wardens were at Boston 
being Summoned thither by the Right Worshipful 
Brother the Deputy Grand Master of North America to 
attend a Grand Procefsion of Masons there and to In- 
stall our Right Worshipful Brother Jeremy Gridley Esq’ 
in the office of Grand Master of Masons in all North 
America, who Rec? a Commifsion for that office from our 
Right Worshipful Brother Henry Bridges Marquis of 
Carnarvon Grand Master of Masons and the said 
Jeremy Gridley was accordingly installed in his said 
office at Boston on Wednesday the first day of October 
Currant. 


1748 335 


Gridley appears to have appreciated the courteous 
loyalty of the Brethren of the Lodge in Portsmouth in 
thus suspending a meeting in order that their Master and 
Wardens might assist at his installation. The records 
of the Lodge under date of June 14, 1756, show that 
“Right Worshipful Bro. Jeremy Gridley, Grand Master 
of Masons in North America” was a visitor in the 
Lodge. 

The Boston Marine Society is among the oldest ex- 
isting Boston institutions. At first it was known as the 
Fellowship Club and on December 5, 1752, adopted a 
proposal to incorporate and a Bill for a Charter drawn 
by Gridley. As a result, the Marine Society was char- 
tered February 21, 1754, and in grateful acknowledg- 
ment voted the Freedom of the Society for hfe to Grid- 
ley and (February 26, 1754) adopted its By-Laws as 
drafted by him. 

Sometime prior to May 19, 1755, Gridley had moved 
from Boston to Brookline, for he was then chosen to 
represent Brookline in the General Court, succeeding 
himself in 1756 and 1757, and again in later years. In 
Boston, he was a communicant at Trinity Church. In 
Brookline, in 1756, he bought a “space or spot” in the 
meeting-house ‘fon the Middle Side Next the Middle 
Alley’ for five pounds six shillings and eight pence. 

The Grand Lodge had a gala day on the Feast of Saint 
John the Evangelist which was celebrated on an unknown 
date between January 31, 1757, and April 8th of the 
same year. On January 3lst a Special Communication 
of the Grand Lodge had been called at which Gridley as 
Grand Master proceeded to make Masons “at sight” of 
Captain Harry Charters, Captain Gilbert McAdams, Aid- 
de-Camp, Doctor Richard Huch, Mr. John Appy, Secre- 


336 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


tary to the Earl of Loudoun, and Mr. John Melvill 
(who came to town from Marblehead with Brother 
Lowell on purpose to be made a Mason). The Grand 
Master’s elder brother, the celebrated Richard Gridley, 
(of whom see page 303), conducted the ceremonies of the 
Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft Degrees. These 
Brethren, with the largest number ever recorded in the 
early history of the Grand Lodge, attended the celebra- 
tion of the Feast of Saint John the Evangelist of which 
I have spoken, at which were present His Excellency 
John, Earl of Loudoun, late Grand Master of Masons 
of England, and His Excellency Charles Lawrence, Esq., 
Governor of Halifax. The length of the list of Brethren 
attending and the notable names occurring in the list 
make it evident that this was one of the greatest festivals 
of the early days of the Fraternity in America (1 Mass. 
49). 

March 5, 1759, he was for the third time chosen Mod- 
erator of the Town Meeting of Brookline, and continu- 
ously thereafter acted in that capacity, as for instance on 
June 13, 1759, October 17, 1759, December 19, 1759, 
December 24, 1759, and March (?), 1760, when he was 
chosen Selectman and Assessor. 

On January 14, 1760, he appointed Robert Jenkins 
Deputy Grand Master of Masons in Rhode Island with 
the full authority of a Provincial. 

And now, at the height of his career, we come to the 
most celebrated case in which he was counsel, that con- 
cerning the Writs of Assistance, first argued in February, 
1761. (1 shall not deal with this case in detail. The 
student may find a good discussion in Quincy’s Massa- 
chusetts Reports, particularly in the Appendix.) For 
present purposes it is sufficient to state that these writs 


1748 337 


were practically what is now known as search-warrants 
except that the place to be searched was not stated in 
the writ, but was left to that Customs Officer of the 
Royal Service to whom the writ was committed that he 
might seek anywhere for smuggled goods. They were 
undoubtedly lawful, and had been issued in the Mother 
Country itself in similar form and for identical pur- 
poses. Moreover, they were no more oppressive, per Se, 
than certain provisions of the tax and revenue laws of 
to-day. But the Colonies had a much deeper underlying 
grievance against the Crown which took this occasion to 
burst forth. It is undoubted, also, that Otis knew of no 
precedent and believed them unlawful. But that was 
due to the paucity of law-books and the lack of sources 
of information. Indeed, after the first argument, the 
Court itself adjourned the case until the judges could 
communicate with England and get necessary informa- 
tion. Gridley appeared for the Crown and in favour of 
issuing the writs; Thatcher and Otis for the merchants 
and against such action. 

It has been said that the cause for which Gridley ap- 
peared aroused distrust of him by his associates. Noth- 
ing could be farther from the truth. While the great 
mass of the people were violently opposed to the writs, 
yet they recognized his position as counsel, presenting to 
the best of his ability that position which he was retained 
to maintain. Throughout his life thereafter, as will be 
seen, he continued to appear on one side or the other of 
almost every case of moment reported from then until his 
death. He was revered by the Bar, by the Fraternity, 
and by the community at large. Bitterly as Otis op- 
posed him in this celebrated cause, he nevertheless wrote 
a magnificent tribute to Gridley which will later appear. 


338 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


May 18, 1761, he was again chosen Moderator of the 
Brookline Town Meeting; also July 3. 

November 19, 1761, was the day of the great hearing 
—the second argument concerning the Writs of Assist- 
ance. An eye-witness (John Adams, later President of 
the United States) has given us a graphic word picture 
of this notable occasion from which has been painted the 
magnificent mural decoration in the State House in 
Boston. 


“In this chamber near the fire,” he says, ‘“were seated 
five judges with Lieut. Governor Hutchinson at their 
head, as Chief Justice, all in their new fresh robes of 
scarlet cloth, in their broad bands and immense judicial 
wigs. In this chamber were seated at a long table all 
the Barristers of Boston, and its neighbouring County of 
Middlesex, in their gowns, bands and tye-wigs. They 
were not seated on ivory chairs, but their dress was more 
solemn and more pompous than that of the Roman Sen- 
ate when the Gauls broke in upon them. In a corner of 
the room must be placed, wit, sense, imagination, genius, 
pathos, reason, prudence, eloquence, learning, science, 
and immense reading hung. by the shoulders on two 
crutches covered with a rei great coat, in the person 
of Mr. Pratt, who had been solicited on both sides, but 
would engage on neither being about to leave Boston 
forever, as chief justice of New York.” 


The Court who sat on this august occasion were Chief 
Justice Hutchinson, Benjamin Lynde, John Cushing, 
Peter Oliver, and Chambers Russell. The counsel en- 
gaged were again Gridley in favour, and Thatcher and 
Otis against the application, and in the words of Presi- 
dent Adams, “‘Then and there was the first scene of the 
first act of opposition to the arbitrary claims of Great 


1748 339 


Britain. Then and there the child Independence, was 
born.”’ 

The whole day and evening, we are told, was taken up 
by the hearing, although Gridley found time to preside 
as Moderator of the Brookline Town meeting some time 
that day. At the conclusion of the trial judgment was 
immediately given in favour of that for which Gridley 
contended, and a careful study of the case at this impar- 
tial distance satisfies the student that it was given cor- 
rectly and as the court should have decided. ‘The real 
quarrel of the people was with the policy of the home 
government and with the rules of law which it imposed, 
not with the interpretation of the law. The Court had 
no business to change the law. ‘That was for the law 
makers. It was the business of the Court merely to en- 
force the law as it was made for them. That they did 
and did correctly. Gridley but pointed out the proper 
interpretation of the law as it stood. Otis’s appeal was 
rather an eloquent voicing of the restive spirit of a people 
convinced that the law was being used as an instrument 
of oppression. 

It was at this term of Court that judges and barristers 
were first appareled as in the Courts of England. Grid- 
ley was present with his associates in gown and band and 
tie-wig. 

Instead of finding him thereafter estranged from his 
fellows, we find constant records of his presiding over the 
Grand Lodge and over the town meetings of Brookline, 
and on numerous occasions a public officer and upon 1m- 
portant committees. Otis continued to be his warm 
friend. 

On April 1, 1767, he dined at the home of James Otis 
with a company of ladies and eminent gentlemen, but it 


340 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


was his last social appearance and his health was break- 
ing. On May 25, 1767, he was appointed King’s At- 
torney General, in lieu of Edmund Trowbridge who had 
been appointed to the Bench. Jonathan Sewall, Esq., 
wanted to be Attorney General—indeed he was appointed 
Special Attorney General, but this being disagreeable to 
Gridley a new office was created for him which was called 
Solicitor General. The same day Gridley was again 
chosen Town Moderator of a meeting which was ad- 
journed to June 12th. He, however, was in very poor 
health. He had not attended the Grand Lodge of April 
27th, and on June 12th the town meeting was obliged to 
adjourn because of his indisposition until June 29th. He 
was too ill to appear at Grand Lodge on June 24th and 
John Rowe, his Deputy, presided. The Town Meeting 
on the 29th, indeed, was again adjourned because of his 
indisposition until July 13th. Struggling against the 
inevitable, he presided at the Town Meeting on July 13th 
and at one later meeting the date of which is not given, 
but he was unable to attend the Grand Lodge on July 
24th and ordered that no meeting be held until October 
in consequence. A Special Communication had to be 
called, however, on September Ist which he was unable 
to attend, being then near dissolution, his death occurring 
on September 10, 1767. 

At the time of his death he was Grand Master of 
Masons in North America, Attorney General for the 
Province of Massachusetts Bay, a member of the Great 
and General Court of said Province and a Justice 
throughout the same, Colonel of the First Regiment of 
Militia, President of the Marine Society, Selectman and 
Assessor of Brookline, and the leader of the Boston Bar. 


1748 341 


Surely these honours belie the statement of those who 
would have us believe that he had lost caste because of 
his arguments on the Writs of Assistance. 

A Special Grand Lodge on September 11, 1767, made 
plans for Masonic participation in a most elaborate 
funeral (1 Mass. 118-120) held in the Representatives’ 
Chamber on September 12. John Rowe writes interest- 
ingly of it in his diary (1 Mass. 420). 


12th Sept Saturday 1767. Cool & Fair Wind, in the 
Afternoon I attended the Funeral of our Right Worship- 
ful Jerry Gridly Esqr. Grand Master, as Deputy Grand 
Master, the Officers of his Regiment Marched in Order 
First, then the Brethren of St Andrews Lodge, then the 
Stewards of the Grand Lodge, then the Brethren Pro- 
miscuously two & two, then the Wardens of the Second 
Lodge, then the Wardens of the first Lodge, then the 
Wardens of the Masters Lodge, then the three Masters 
of the three Several Lodges—then the past Grand Of- 
ficers & the Treasurer, then the Grand Wardens then 
myself as Deputy Grand Master, then the Tyler with the 
Grand Masters Jewell on a Black Velvet Cushion—the 
Corpse—the Bearers were the Lieut Governour, Judge 
Trowbridge, Justice Hubbard, John Erving Senr Esqr, 
James Otis Esqr & Mr. Samuel Fitch. Then followed 
the Relations—after them the Lawyers in their Robes— 
then the Gentlemen of the Town & then a great many 
Coaches, Chariots, & chaises. Such a multitude of Spec- 
tators, I never Saw at any time before since I have been 
in New England.—after his Body was Interr’d wee Re- 
turn’d in Form to the Town house (from whence his 
corps was taken from at the Beginning of the Proces- 
sion, ) in the Same Order as wee first walked.—I do not 
much approve of Such parade & Show—but as it was his 
& his Relations desire, I could not well Avoid giving my 
Consent. I think the Number of the Brethren that At- 


342 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


tended was 161.—upon the Whole it was as weli Con- 
ducted & in As Good Order as the Nature of it would 


admit. 


A full account of the services, order of procession, and 
names of the Brethren who attended is recorded in the 
original records of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts 
(and printed in 1 Mass. 118 to 124 inclusive). It 
demonstrates his conspicuous position in public life and 
the affection as well as the veneration of his contem- 
poraries; lawyers and laymen, men in official and private 
life alike, joining to do him honour. The bearers were 
the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Justice Hutchinson, 
Judge Trowbridge, Councillors Hubbard and Erving, 
and Barristers James Otis and Samuel Fitch. 

The unique obituary printed in the Boston papers at 
the time of his death, on good evidence is believed to 
have been written by his friend and former pupil, some- 
times his associate, at others his bitterest antagonist, 
James Otis. As printed in the Boston Gazette for Mon- 
day, September 14, 1767, it reads as follows: 


On Thursday last died here, Jeremy Gridley Esqr. At- 
torney-General of the Province, and a Member of the 
General Court; His funeral was attended on Saturday 
with the Respect due to his Memory by the Members of 
the Council and the Judges of the Superior Court in 
Town, the Gentlemen of the Bar, the Brethren of the 
Society of Free Masons, of which he was Grand Master, 
the officers of the First Regiment, of which he was Colo- 
nel, the Members of the Marine Society, of which he 
was President and a great Number of the Gentlemen of 
the Town :— 

“Strength of Understanding, Clearness of Apprehen- 
sion, and Solidity of Judgment were cultivated in him 
by a liberal Education and close thinking: 


1748 343 


“His extensive Acquaintance with Classical and al- 
most every other part of Literature, gave him the first 
Rank among Men of Learning: 

“His thorough knowledge of the Civil and Common 
Law, which he had studied as a Science, founded in the 
Principles of Government, and the Nature of Man, 
justly placed him at the Head of his Proffession: 

“His tender Feelings relative to his natural and civil 
Ties; his exquisite Sensibility and generous Effusion of 
Soule for his Friends, were Proof that his Heart was as 
Good as his Head was sound, and well qualified him to 
preside over that antient Society, whose Benevolent Con- 
stitutions do Honour to Mankind: 

“He sustained the painful Attacks of Death with a 
Philosophical Calmness and Fortitude, that resulted from 
the steady Principles of his Religion. He died in the 
62nd year of his age.” 

(It should read 66th year of his age. ) 


(A reproduction of the official letter of October 2, 
1767, to Henry Price, recalling him to the chair upon 
Gridley’s death is herewith inserted. See 1 Mass. 125.) 

When Jeremy Gridley came to the Bar of the Province 
it was unworthy to be called a learned profession. In- 
deed next to none of the practitioners at the Bar were 
educated men. And even the Bench had held few law- 
yers. The first judge who had even been a lawyer was 
Judge Lynde, elevated in 1712. The clergy had held 
and continued to exercise for many years a control over 
all civil government and especially over the judicial de- 
partment. The Court which had condemned to death 
those poor unfortunates accused of witchcraft, for in- 
stance, consisted of seven Judges. ‘The Chief Justice 
was the clergyman Stoughton. With him sat Sewall, a 
business man, but educated for the church; Winthrop 


344 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


and Gedney, physicians; and Richards, Curwin, and 
Seargeant, merchants. No lawyer had anything to do 
with this notorious Court. Even Checkley, the Attorney 
General, was a merchant and a military man. In these 
modern days when considerations are urged for subject- 
ing the Courts to popular will, would it not be wise to 
remember the sad results of this popular tribunal which 
allowed itself to be swayed by the loud outcries of the 
populace ? 

In such an incipient state of the development of the 
legal profession, Gridley with an all around education 
stood forth conspicuous as an able and learned man. His 
reading and study were extensive and his mind logical 
and accurate. He was an easy and graceful writer, being 
imbued with the spirit of classical literature. As a 
speaker he was “rough and ungraceful, hesitating in his 
utterance but energetic in his manner, and impressive by 
his peculiarly emphatic use of language. Even to the 
court his manner is said to have been magisterial when 
expressing any opinion in their presence.”’ 

A good illustration is reported in the case of Banister 
v. Henderson (Quincy’s Mass. Reports, 141). 

It had been held that there might be cross-remainders 
between two devisees. Gridley was contending that there 
might be among three. Messrs. Otis and Auchmuty were 
opposing him. A part of the reported dialogue follows: 


Mr. Gridley. It is the bufinefs of the Law to explain 
the Pregnancy of Expreffion, and when this Pregnancy 
is drawn out, this is the mighty Confufion, this is the 
terrible Bugbear. The Lawyers who talk of the Abhor- 
rence of the Law, the Confufion, the Awkwardnefs, and 
I don’t know what all, of Crofs Remainders were afleep, 
I believe, and had their Heads muffled up in Napkins. 


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1748 B45 


Mr. Auchmuty. I don’t underftand fuch Reflections. 

Mr. Gridley. I meant no Reflection on you, sir. 

Mr. Otis. Mr. Auchmuty, I did not take Mr. Grid- 
ley intended to reflect upon us, but on all the Judges of 
England. c 

Mr. Gridley. What mighty Difficulty to former Peo- 
ple I can’t tell: ’tis very plain now. Crofs Remainders 
may be among 2; why not 3? 


Gridley’s commanding ability, far and away superior 
to his predecessors in his chosen profession, led to his 
being rightly called the “Father of the Boston Bar.” 
His office was the principal school for students of the 
law. The most distinguished lawyers who became his 
contemporaries and successors, such as James Otis, Oxen- 
bridge Thatcher, John Adams, William Cushing, and 
Chief Justice Pratt, received their professional education 
in his office and under his instruction. Of Otis and 
Adams he remarked that he had reared two young eagles 
who were one day to peck out his eyes. Of Gridley more 
than any other it may be said that he elevated the Bos- 
ton Bar from comparative chaos and ignorance to the 
dignity of a learned profession. 

Remuneration in these days was not excessive. For 
an important argument and trial eight dollars was the 
fee. Five dollars was the limit for a jury argument and 
two dollars for a continuance. No wonder there were 
only ten lawyers in Boston at the time, and no wonder 
that Gridley himself died insolvent. Practically the 
whole of his estate was his library, a complete inven- 
tory of which is among the probate records (Suffolk 
County, Mass.) and which was, for those days, extensive 
and magnificent. (In the inventory of his estate filed 
in the Probate Court in Boston on March 18, 1768, it 


346 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


was appraised at £209 3s 4d. This was probably what 
the library had brought at auction, for it was thus sold 
on February 2, 1768.) 

He was succeeded as Attorney General by Jonathan 
Sewall, who was appointed to the office November 18, 
1767. 

Jeremy Gridley was buried in Tomb No. 9 of the 
Granary Burying Ground in Boston, erected by his 
father-in-law, Hon. Ezekiel Lewis. Until May 11, 
1916, it remained unmarked, though his name and fame 
have remained as one of the foremost men of the day. 

Though they never will find a place in classic litera- 
ture, yet typical of the times and of the man, the lines 
printed with his obituary as written ex fempore (proba- 
bly also by Brother James Otis) must be quoted. 


Jeremiah Gridley Barrister-At-Law. 


“Of Parts and Learning, Wit and Worth possess’d, 
Gridley shone forth conspicuous o’er the rest: 
In native Powers robust, and smit with Fame, 
The Genius brighten’d and the Spark took Flame; 
Nature and Science wove the laurel Crown, 
Ambitious, each alike, conferr’>d Renown. 
High in the Dignity and Strength of Thought, 
The Maze of Knowledge sedulous he sought, 
With Mind Superior Studied and retain‘d. 
And Life and Property by Law sustain‘d. 
Generous and free, his lib’ral Hand he spread, 
Th’ Oppress’d relieved, and for the Needy Plead; 
Awake to Friendship, with the ties of Blood 
His Heart expanded and his Soul o’erflow’d. 
Social in Converse, in the Senate brave. 
Gay e’en in Dignity, with Wisdom grave; 
Long to his country and to Courts endear’d, 
The Judges honour’d and the Bar rever’d. 


1748 347 


Rest! Peaceful Shade! innoxious as they Walk 
May slander babble and may censure talk, 
Ne’er on thy Mem’ry cast a Blot— 

But human Frailties in thy Worth forgot.” 


1916 Mass. 84-124 ef cit. 


1748, May 25, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1748, June 3, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
OTR SA: B. 
1748, June 8, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
(OM ey, Hay, 
1748, June 22, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Sidney George and Capt. 
John James made. 


Oakes Piss AyB: 


1748, July 1, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Election. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1748, July 13, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Brothers Nicholas Fer- 
ritor and Thomas Vavasour admitted. 
@ Heeb ls ALB; 


348 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1748, July 27, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Michael Buttler 
made. 


OM at IER AV) by 
1748, August 5, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1748, August 10, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1748, August 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1748, August 31, 


Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 

Meeting of the Lodge. “Admitted Masons to the 
Fellow Craft, Viz: 

Cap. Brother Henry Barnsley 

Brother Smith 

Brother Michael Henry Pascal 

Brother Gardner 

Brother Wallis 

Brother Jenness”’ 

O.R. 


1748, September 2, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
ON re Bs 


1748 349 


1748, September 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
OLURS32A;B. 


1748, September 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1748, September 29, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. Messrs. Campble and Richard 
Ion (I’on) made. 


O.R. 
1748, October 7, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1748, October 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother William Dalton 
admitted. 
Cites bn: AL. 


1748, October 20, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. Election. 
O.R. 


1748, October 25, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Jonathan Fuller made, 
Brothers William Ellery admitted, Andrew Ramsey 
(Ramsay) admitted and passed. 

one ALD 


350 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1748, November 3, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. Nathaniel Wheelwright made 
and passed. 
O.R. 


1748, November 4, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1748, November 9, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1748, November 17, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Bar’w (Bartho.) Svere, 
Fran’s Baulos, and William Ross made. 
Ree Asb 


1748, November 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother David Littlejohn 
admitted. 
OH yi eH bata ay 


1748, December 2, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1748, December 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1 Mass. 9. 


1748 351 


1748, December 15, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. Election. 
O.R. 


1748, December 27, Boston. 
Celebration of the Festival by the Grand Lodge. 
O.R. of First Lodge. 


1748, December 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1748/9, January 6, Boston. 

Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Election. Brothers 
Andrew Ramsey (Ramsay), Belthar Bayard, Aenneas 
McKay, William Day, and Jona. Dwight raised. 

Od ag Bol Pea Nd bs 


1748/9, January 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
Co 4cA. Db. 


1748/9, January 19, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. 
O.R. 


1748/9, January 25, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


352 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1748/9, February 3, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1748/9, February 8, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Benjamin Stod- 
dard, Peter McTaggart, and Elias D’Larue made. 
OR hele ALb 


1748/9, February 16, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Meeting of the Lodge. 
O.R. 


1748/9, February 22, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1883 Mass. 164. 


1748/9, March 3, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1748/9, March 8, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1748/9, March 22, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge 
O.R.; A.B. 


1748, circa. San Domingo. 
Lodge organized at Cap, which worked for 35 years 
thereafter. 


1920 Mass. 112. 


CHAPTER XXIII 


1749 
1749, April 5, Boston. 
Meeting of Auditing Committee of the Masters Lodge. 
A.B. 
1749, April 7, Boston. 


Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brother Thomas 
Pearson raised. 


O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 


1749, April 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Hugh McKay 
admitted. 


OPRes Bs 2AtB: 
1749, April 26, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1749, May 5, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1749, May 10, Boston. 


Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. James H. Ewing 
(Euing) made. Brother Robert Gardner admitted. 


O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 
353 


354 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1749, May 24, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 

1749, June 2, Boston. 


“Being Masters Lodge night; Adjourned on Account 
of the House being taken up by the General Court.” 


OLR: 
1749, June 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1749, June 24, Boston. 


Celebration of the Festival. There is no record of this 
celebration, but the First Lodge appointed Stewards 
therefor at its meeting on June 14, and there is in the 
archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts an original 
letter in the handwriting of Charles Pelham, Secretary, 
signed by him and by the Master and Wardens of the 
First Lodge recommending Brother Robert Jenkins to 
the Master, Wardens and Brethren of any Lodge in Lon- 
don, and which is dated ‘‘From the Lodge in Boston N. 
Engld. held June 24th A.D. 1749.” 

1 Mass. 395. 


1749, June 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. With this meeting 
the known records of this Lodge begin. It is evident, 


1749 355 


AP Joige hits ore Moray Yhu ag: Aug” 1749 
ob bhes Sun. Sonerr on Water Moree? Phi le 


Prevent Bre Sire Mr 


wa ab A Sy? 
Marrs SD was Sig? 
Members prea nrP Wake DR rolbhurg 


Prot Muclbor Ak Goffe DAT ne 
Wrigh P WeSdales 


PaeQa lo Buamepé 

acctrdingly Hise fright made in Ques Far 
Bre Mullen me) Kat oPelbor..bu verb he MT: Beng 
Se randlin, Previeragal Fron Master of Den ailoaws4s 
& grank ue a: Deyrutatior ander hes Sametan, 
The Mather appoint) Art Videl,, Corfe, Mullames 
fs Yeas uy? the SOM, O40 Lo preeemt cf 








Jim Clarks Lidge Clad) 


Aba he helaen. Rerpiiay He CB Sep” 1749 
PeanL Rre® Sriffin Me 
¥5 LP Whighh te Ww? 
ee S  Uihing Broo Cumming 
- rinleath Ad Qone} Sem oClack Lge C65) 


PAGE OF RECORD BOOK OF TUN TAVERN LODGE 


356 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


however, that it was not its first meeting. The record 
book is now owned by the Historical Society of Penn- 
sylvania. 

O.R. 

Freemasonry in Pennsylvania seems now to be reviv- 
ing, though official authority for this Lodge 1s unknown. 

See 1749, Aug. 29, infra. 

In a volume written by Brother Sachse, the Librarian 
of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and compiled at 
the request of the Grand Master (1906), the claim is 
made that this record book of Tun Tavern Lodge is “the 
oldest American Masonic minute book known.” 

Benjamin Franklin as a Free Mason, 85. 

It has, however, been common knowledge for many 
years that the original minute books of the Masters 
Lodge in Boston, beginning December 22, 1738; of the 
First Lodge in Boston, beginning December 27, 1738, 
and of the First Lodge in Portsmouth, N. H., beginning 
October 31, 1739, all of which have been personally ex- 
amined by the author during the preparation of this 
book, are in their proper custody and available for in- 
spection. Quotations and facsimiles from some of these 
were published in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge 
of Massachusetts as early as 1871. Copies of these pro- 
ceedings were in Brother Sachse’s possession during his 
entire service as librarian and the writer has personal 
knowledge that he had seen them before 1906. From 
this and other similar instances, at least one of which 
has been referred to above, it is evident that statements 
made by Brother Sachse must be verified before being acs 
cepted as correct. 


See 1914 Mass. 277. 


1749 357 


1749, July 3, Philadelphia. 

Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. 
O.R. 

1749, July 5, Philadelphia. 


Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. John Ord and John 
Slydorn (Schleydhorn) made, Brother Hugh Wright 
passed, and Brother John Eve raised and admitted. 

O.R. 


1749, July 7, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Election. Brother 
Jonathan Fuller raised. 


O.R.; A.B. 


1749, July 10, Boston—Pennsylvania. 

Provincial Grand Master Oxnard of North America 
appointed Benjamin Franklin Provincial Grand Master 
for Pennsylvania. 

The Picture of Philadelphia, (1811) 289. 

1888 Mass. 155. 

1906 Mass. 90. 

See also 1734/5, February 21; 1738, June 24; 
1741, June 24, supra. 


1749, July 12, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
Oy ea.b: 


Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brothers Phillips and 
Stephen Vidal admitted. 
O.R. 


358 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1749, July 26, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Samuel Massey, Paul 
Douxsaint, and Lewis Peach made. 
OuRes PsA B: 


1749, August 2, Philadelphia. 

Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. John Fisher made, 
Brothers Foster and Thomas Blake passed, and Hugh 
Wright raised. 

O.R. 


1749, August 4, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brothers John Rae 
and Samuel Levens raised. 


OURS Poa, 


1749,. August 5, Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Three Brethren dis- 
charged from membership. 


O.R. 
1749, August 9, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Election. Brothers 
John Ord and Thomas Blake admitted. 
O.R. 


1749, August 16, Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Edward Hemlin and 


Flanegan made. Brother Walter Murray passed. 
O.R. 


1749 359 


1749, August 23, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Robert Anderson 


passed. 
etl os Aue 


Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. 
O.R. 


1749, August 29, — Philadelphia. 

Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge at which it was voted 
that a petition be sent to Benjamin Franklin, Pro. G. M. 
of Pennsylvania by appointment of Pro. G. M. Oxnard 
of North America, to grant the Lodge a Deputation 
under his sanction. 

Dr. William Parker made. 

O.R. 


1749, September 1, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1749, September 5, Philadelphia. 

First meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge under 
the Deputation granted Franklin by Oxnard, and a re- 
vival of the earlier St. John’s Lodge under that Deputa- 
tion. 

The Picture of Philadelphia, (1811) 289. 
IV Gould 239. 

On the records of the Grand Lodge at Boston for April 
10, 1752, we find: 

“For the Lodge att Philadelphia Bro™ McDaniel ap- 
peared and paid for their Constitution SLi lone OY 

I Mass. 20, 


360 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1749, September 11, Philadelphia. 

Brothers Murray, Phillips, Edward Hemlin, Dr. Wil- 
liam Parker, William Mason, and John Ord passed. 
Brothers John Slydorn and Flanegan passed and ad- 
mitted. 

O.R. 


1749, September 13, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 
1883 Mass. 163. 


1749, September 27, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. John Simes made. 
Brother Capt. Richard Savage passed. 
OH ie 


1749, October 4, Philadelphia. 

Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Capt. James Whyte 
made. Brother John Simes Passed and Brothers Thomas 
Blake and Wasdale raised. 


O.R. 
1749, October 6, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1749, October 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Henry Leddell, Sami. 


1749 361 


Calef, Benj. Badger, and Capts. John Bennett and 
Benj. Clifford made. Brothers John Leverett and Wil- 
liam Epps passed, Edmund Quincy and Henry Bowers 
admitted. 

O.R.; P.L.: A:B. 

In the original records of the Lodge this is the first time 
that the word ‘“‘Passed”’ has been used in connection with 
the Fellow Craft Degree. In all previous incidents, al- 
though the Pelham List (written later) has used the 
word “Passed,” the original record has used the phrases 
“Raised Fellow Craft,” or ‘made Fellow Craft.” 


1749, October 12, — Philadelphia. 

Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brother Capt. Vina 
Leacroft passed. Brother Capt. James Whyte passed 
and raised. 

O.R. 


1749, October 25, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
Oohe:7A-B. 


1749, October 26, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 

Meeting of the Lodge on board the British Frigate 
America of fifty-four guns, then building at Portsmouth. 
Mr. Farr made and passed. Mr. Kipling made. 

O.R. 


1749, November 1, Philadelphia. 

Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Enas Batter, John 
Boude, and John Bruliet made. Brothers John Ord and 
William Mason raised. 


OR. 


362 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1749, November 3, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
Oo: VAGB: 


1749, November 8, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. James Thompson and 
Capt. James Bruce made. Brothers Peter Oliver and 
John Indigot admitted. 

O.R.; P.L. 


Philadelphia. 

Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brother Enas Batter 
passed. Brother Foster, Flanegan, and Capt. Michael 
James passed and raised. Brother Capt. James Whyte 
admitted. 

O.R. 


1749, November 22, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother John Huston 
admitted. 
OCR Piva: 


Philadelphia. 

Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brother John Bruliet 
passed. One member was fined two shillings for “‘swear- 
ing two Oaths.” Another, one shilling sixpence for im- 
properly addressing the Master. 

O.R. 


1749, November 29, Philadelphia. 

Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Mr. Flanegan made 
and passed. Brother John Boude passed. Brother 
Michael James admitted. 

o OHW 


1749 363 


1749, December 1, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brothers Alexander 
Ross, William Epps, and John Bennett raised. 
Ole 3A. BD: 


1749, December 4, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Another meeting of the Lodge on the Frigate America. 
Brothers Smith, Pascal, Wallace, Jenness, and Campble 
raised. 


O.R. 


1749, December 6, Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brothers Walter 
Murray, Enas Batter, and John Bruliet raised. 
O.R. 


1749, December 11, 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
Another meeting of the Lodge on board the Frigate 
America. 


O.R. 


1749, December 13, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Election. 
O.R.; A.B. 


Philadelphia. 

Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. William Shute, 
Franklin Manny, and Capt. Thomas Glentworth made. 
Capt. Richard Harris made and passed. Brother Falk- 
ner (Falckner) admitted. 

O.R. 


364 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1749, December 22, Boston. 

Meeting of the First Lodge. Jacob Tuthill, Martin 
Beker, Roscow Sweeny, and Capt. Gilbert Faulkner 
made. Samuel Wells “raised F.C.” 

O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 


1749, December 23, Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Capts. Jenkins and 
Tege made. 
O.R. 


1749, December 24, Boston—Newport. 
Pro. G.M. Oxnard granted a Constitution for a Lodge 
to be held at Newport, R.I. 
L.M.R. 482. 
1749, December 27, znfra. 


1749, December 27, Boston. 

The Grand Lodge celebrated the Festival by attend- 
ing Christ Church where a sermon was preached by Rev. 
Brother Charles Brockwell, after which they repaired in 
procession to the Royal Exchange Tavern “Where was 
an elegant Dinner provided, at which were several Gen- 
tlemen of Note, besides the Fraternity.” 

1 Mass. 9. 

Boston Evening Post for January 1, 1749/50, 
P-t. 

Boston Post Boy for January 1, 1749/50, P-t. 

O.R. of First Lodge. 

1883 Mass. 165. 


Rev. Brother Brockwell’s sermon entitled “Brotherly 
Love Recommended” was printed and published in Bos- 


1749 365 


ton immediately by John Draper in Newbury Street. 
An original copy thereof is in the archives of the Grand 
Lodge of Massachusetts containing the vote of thanks 
to the preacher passed by the Grand Lodge. A bur- 
lesque in doggerel of the procession of the Grand Lodge 
on this day was printed and circulated in 1750 and re- 
printed in 1795. One of each edition is in the archives 
of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. It is reprinted 
in 1 Mass. 473. 
In the evening there was also a meeting of the First 

Lodge. 

O.R.; A.B. 

19 M.F.M. 51. 


The Boston Weekly News Letter for January 1, 
1749/50 contains Draper’s advertisement of Brockwell’s 
sermon. 

P-t. 

On January 9, 1749/50, the First Lodge paid 50 

Pounds for the printing of the sermon. 
A.B. 
Newport, Rhode Island. 

The First Lodge at Newport held its first meeting as 
is shown by the following paragraph which appeared 
in the Boston Weekly News Letter for January l, 
1749/50: 


“On the 27th ult. being the Feftival of St. John the 
Evangelist the firft regular Lodge of free and accepted 
Mafons was congregated and held at Newport on Rhode 
Ifland; by Virtue of a Warrant given them by the Grand 
Mafter of North-America.”’ 

P-t. 


366 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 
And the Boston Post Boy for January 15, 1749/50, 


contained the same item. 


P-t. 
Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Election. 
O.R. 


1749/50, January 3, Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brother Tege passed 
and Brother Richard Harris raised. 
O.R. 


1749/50, January 5, —_ Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Election. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1749/50, January 9, Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brother Jenkins 
passed and raised. 


O.R. 
Boston. 
Meeting of Auditing Committee of the First Lodge. 
A.B. 


1749/50, January 10, Boston. 
Meeting of First Lodge. Joseph Gorham and John 
Brown made. 


OUR TARA Ayo: 


1749/50, January 24, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1749 367 


Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Capt. John Austin 
made and passed. Brothers William Shute and Thomas 
Glentworth passed. Brother Tege raised. 


O.R. 


1749/50, January 26, Boston. 
Meeting of Auditing Committee of the Masters Lodge. 
A.B. 


1749/50, February 2, Boston. 

Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brothers Edmd. 
Quincy, Benja. Clifford, Henry Bowers, John Leverett, 
Robt. Jenkins, John Brown, and Benj. Stoddard raised. 

OURS Re ALB: 


1749/50, February 8, Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brothers John Sly- 
dorn and John Boude raised. 


Gala 


1749/50, February 12, Boston. 
The Boston Evening Post contains an advertisement 
of the Constitutions of the Freemasons to be sold by the 


publishers of the paper. 
P-t. 


1749/50, February 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. James Steward (Stew- 
art), William Tyler, and Nathaniel Gilman made. 
Om eb A:B. | 


368 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


1749/50, February 15, Boston. 

Meeting of the Grand Lodge for the Constitution of 
the Second Lodge in Boston, to be held at the Royal Ex- 
change Tavern on the third Thursday in every month. 

I Mass. 9. 
On the O. L. this Lodge was first numbered 141. 
L.M.R. 91. 


Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. 
O.R. 


1749/50, February 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
O.R.; A.B. 


1749/50, March 1, Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. 
O.R. 


1749/50, March 2, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. 
OURG AASB: 


1749/50, March 5, Philadelphia. 

Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Anthony Duchee 
made. Brothers Franklin Manny passed and Thomas 
Glentworth and William Shute raised. Brother John 
Boude admitted. 

O.R. 


1749/50, March 7, Boston. 
Meeting of the Grand Lodge for the Constitution of 


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1749 369 


the Third Lodge in Boston, to be held at the White 
Horse Tavern on the first and third Wednesday in every 


month. 
1 Mass 9. 


Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brothers William 
Shute and Thomas Glentworth admitted. 
O.R. 


1749/50, March 13, Philadelphia. 

William Allen exhibited a patent signed by Lord 
Byron, the Grand Master of England, appointing him 
Provincial Grand Master for Pennsylvania. 

The Picture of Philadelphia, (1811) 290. 
See page 68. 

This being from the fountain head and from an au- 
thority superior even to Oxnard’s, was at once recognized 
by Franklin and his associates of the then existing Pro- 
vincial Grand Lodge. Franklin became Deputy Grand 
Master. Those who were his officers under Oxnard’s 
Deputation all remained in line but like himself demoted 
one station. Word of this and some similar matters 
having come to Boston the Brethren there, after long 
and careful consideration, prepared a remonstrance on 
October 7, 1751 to the Grand Master of England. 

I Mass. 396. 
Facsimile presented herewith. See page 235. 

The four Lodges in Boston very properly pointed out 
that Oxnard’s Commission granted by Lord Ward, Grand 
Master of England, September 23, 1743, ¢.v., made him 
“Provincial Grand Master of North America.” (1 Mass. 
8.) and that, therefore, Deputations for the Provinces 


370 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


here should issue from him in the future as they had in 
the past. When Franklin visited the Grand Lodge at 
London on November 17, 1760, he was recognized as 
“Provincial Grand Master of Philadelphia” which is at 
least a recognition of Oxnard’s Commission to him. 


O.R. of English Grand Lodge. 


Perhaps even more to the point is the recognition of 
the loyalty of Pennsylvania to Oxnard when on April 
10, 1752, Bro. McDaniel appeared for the Lodge at 
Philadelphia and paid for its constitution thirty-one 
pounds and ten shillings. 

I Mass. 20. 


1749/50, March 14, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Capt. Hugh Purdie 
made. Rev. Brother Samuel Quincy passed. 
One 


Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brother John Reily 
admitted. 
O.R. 


1749, Nova Scotia. 
During this year a Lodge was Constituted at Halifax, 
Nova Scotia, by the Grand Lodge of England. 
L.M.R. 92. 


Note. 

This completes the chronological record of every 
Masonic event which concerns the Western Hemisphere 
prior to the close of the legal year 1749 of which the 
author has been able to learn. 









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FACSIMILE OF PART OF RECORD OF MEETING OF GRAND LODGE 
IN BOSTON, APRIL 13, 1750 





1750 371 


That the record may be brought down to the begin- 
ning of the first bound volume of contemporaneous (i.e., 
written at the time of the events recorded) records of 
the earliest American Grand Lodge records extant, viz: 
those of the Grand Lodge at Boston, the following five 
days are added. 


1750, March 28, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. Brother Walter Logan 
admitted. 
O05 Sd Pal oy Wo 


Philadelphia. 

Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. One member was ex- 
cluded from the Lodge ‘‘for aiding and assisting in mak- 
ing two Brothers Irregular.” Brother Hampton ad- 
mitted. 

O.R. 


1750, April 4, Philadelphia. 

Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Brother William 
Gamble passed and raised. Brother Franklin Manny 
raised and admitted. 


O.R. 


1750, April 7, Boston. 
Meeting of the Masters Lodge. Brothers Gilbert 
Faulkner and Rev. Samuel Quincy raised. 
O.R.; P.L.; A.B. 


1750, April 11, Boston. 
Meeting of the First Lodge. 
OR A.B, 
1883 Mass. 164. 


372 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Philadelphia. 
Meeting of Tun Tavern Lodge. Peter Hudson made. 
Brother Archdall admitted. 
O.R. 


1750, April 13, Boston. 

With the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge this 
day, its continuous contemporaneous record commences in 
the handwriting of Charles Pelham who was Secretary of 
the First Lodge as well as Grand Secretary. 

O.R. 
I Mass. 10. 
1900 Mass. 127. 


Massachusetts has now in the Masonic Temple in Bos- 
ton official Grand Lodge records, made contemporane- 
ously with the events recorded, from April 13, 1750, to 
the present day, except for a short hiatus during the 
Revolutionary War while its Grand Secretary, a Tory, 
was in Nova Scotia. 


CHAPTER XXIV 
ARCANA OF THE PERIOD 


There are radical differences between the degree system 
of this period and the present time. Because of the 
secrecy surrounding the ritual it is impossible to know 
the whole story or to write it even if we did know it. 

Let us first collate what little there is to guide us and 
draw our conclusions afterwards. 

As early as June 24, 1731, we have the record of an 
“entrance’’ fee. 

On July 30, 1733, certain Brethren signed a petition 
in which it was recited that some of them were ‘“‘made 
here.” The words “entered” and “made” have a tech- 
nical reference to the first degree, which is now familiar 
by constant use. 

The word “admitted” appears first on October 24, 
1733, meaning then as now “admitted to membership 
in a Lodge,” but having no reference to any degree. 

The earliest American By-Laws or Regulations of a 
Lodge were adopted October 24, 1733, but there is no 
reference therein to any degrees. We find that Masons 
were “made” and a certain limited number of them were 
“admitted.” Nothing more until February 9, 1736/7, 
when the degree of Fellow-Craft is mentioned for the 
first time. ‘The language of the vote quoted under that 
date, above, shows that the second degree had thereto- 
fore been worked. It is more than three years and a 
half later, however, before we have any written record 


of the working of this degree. ‘Then, in Portsmouth, 
373 


374 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


New Hampshire, “Capt. Andrew Tombes was made a 
Mason and razsed to a Fellow-Craft.” (The italics are 
mine.) From then on there is confusion in terminology. 
Sometimes Brethren are recorded as ‘made Fellow 
Craft,” more often “raised Fellow Craft.” On July 22, 
1747, Brother McKenzie was “Rais’d Fellow Craft in 
due Form” and yet when Brother Pelham made up his 
list (1751) he says that Brother McKenzie was “‘pass’d 
Fellow Craft.» From and after October 11, 1749, the 
record of the First Lodge in Boston usually uses the word 
“passed” when referring to the second degree, although 
as late as December 22, 1749, we still find ‘“‘raised Fel- 
low Craft.” 

The records which we have of Tun Tavern Lodge, 
Philadelphia, beginning June 28, 1749, use the words 
“entered,” “passed”’ and ‘“‘raised’”’ as we use them now. 

Those who are familiar with the history of the ritual 
and its development in England, Ireland and Scotland, 
will at once, I think, conclude rightly that the first de- 
gree, in these early days in America, contained what 
has now been expanded into the first and second; also 
that the second degree corresponds to what is now the 
third. But few Brethren advanced beyond Entered 
Apprentices, upon which degree all general business was 
transacted. 

But what shall we say when we find a Masters Lodge 
constituted December 22, 1738% Before then the only 
references to Masters were to the Masters of Lodges. 
The Masters, who were then in Boston, gathered together 
to form “The Masters Lodge.” It is practically certain 
that the founders of this Lodge had not all been actual 
presiding Masters of Lodges. All then in Boston who 
are known to have been such are recorded as present at 


ARCANA OF THE PERIOD 375 


the first regular meeting, January 2, 1738/9, but there 
were others. At the next monthly meeting, with ten 
present and Henry Price in the Chair, George Monerieff 
was “raised a Master.” Under the By-Laws of the 
Lodge, the candidate had to pass an examination in open 
Lodge on the two previous degrees before he could be 
advanced. He must, accordingly, prove that he had pre- 
viously been “raised a Fellow Craft.’”’ What then was 
the Masters’ degree? Again we must appeal to the 
ritualistic history of Freemasonry in the British Isles. 
I believe the answer to be that the degree worked by 
the Masters Lodge was what is sometimes known as the 
“Chair Degree” or installation of a Master, absorbed 
nowadays in the United States by the Royal Arch Chap- 
ter and transformed into the degree of “Past Master.” 

Until nearly the end of the eighteenth century the 
Masters’ degree was conferred in Boston by this Masters 
Lodge, which was the child of the ‘Moderns’ and by 
another Masters Lodge which met under the charter of 
the Lodge of St. Andrew, which was the child of the 
Grand Lodge of Scotland which in the second half 
of the eighteenth century had affiliations with the 
“Antients’ and used a similar ritual. Even to-day the 
degree of ‘Past Master” is conferred by authority of 
the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania upon Brethren who 
never have been elected to preside over a Lodge. 

Here I begin to tread upon dangerous ground, for if 
I write anything plainly enough for the initiated to 
understand, it must not be said in a way whereby it may 
become legible or intelligible to the profane. Let me 
attempt it by saying that there were many clauses in 
the Fellow-craft degree of the middle of the eighteenth 
century which are only to be found in the present third 


376 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


degree. If the Master Mason of to-day could transport 
himself back to that period and see the second degree 
worked, he would, for instance, hear distinct allusions to 
five points of fellowship. And why, indeed, should not 
these things which appertain to fellowship be imparted 
to a Fellow of the Craft? Likewise, he would have 
found in the making, not in the crafting, the inculcation 
of charity toward a worthy brother. Many other clauses 
of our present second would have been found in the then 
first, many of the third in the then second. ‘These things 
we learn from across the sea. The actual ritual of the 
early days in America is an unfathomable mystery, ex- 
cept what we learn by applying our present knowledge 
gained through generations of instructive tongues, atten- 
tive ears and not too accurate memories to the few known 
American facts hereinbefore mentioned, and to the re- 
sults of studies of the situation in London at the time 
of the emigration from there of the founders of Masonry 
here. 

Those who brought Freemasonry from England to 
New England, to Pennsylvania, to South Carolina, to 
Georgia, to New York, and to its other earliest homes 
in what is now the United States, came here before the 
drastic changes in ritual made by the English Grand 
Lodge about the end of the fourth decade of the eight- 
eenth century. 

Due largely to some alleged exposés and to the un- 
willingness of certain Lodges located within its juris- 
diction to yield allegiance and submission, the Grand 
Lodge of England, between 1730 and 1740, but prin- 
cipally in 1739, 

(1) Abolished the installation ceremony of the Wor- 
shipful Master; 


ARCANA OF THE PERIOD 377 


(2) Handed some of the secrets of the office of In- 
stalled Master over to the third degree; 

(3) Remodelled the third degree; 

(4) Exchanged certain vital secrets between the first 
and second degrees; 

(5) Essentially changed the symbolism of prepara-~ 
tion; 

(6) Materially condensed the lectures; 

(7) Omitted and cut down parts of the ceremonies; 
and 

(8) Made some minor additions. 

These ritualistic changes and some structural altera- 
tions in Grand Lodge gave occasion for a Masonic war. 
A rival Grand Lodge sprang up in 1751, called them- 
selves the ‘‘Antients,’’ dubbed the older body the ““Mod- 
erns,’ and grew in number and power. They propa- 
gated the art both in England and America, and even 
gained international alliances alienating other grand 
bodies from the ‘“‘Moderns.” 

The changes made by the “Moderns” and the strength 
of the “Antients’” both had their influence in America. 
The effect was felt more especially later than the period 
with which this book deals. The changes of 1739 doubt- 
less found their way across the sea more or less during 
the following decade. Visits were constantly being ex- 
changed, new deputations were being issued covering 
various parts of the new world, and new Lodges were 
being constituted. 

Doubtless the Masters Lodge was one of the results 
of this period of transition. But what happened here 
has never been put in writing, full records were not kept, 
and what few books of record were made are mostly 
lost. There is little more which probably can ever be 


378 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


said on the subject, for the radical changes were aban- 
doned when, on April 12, 1809, the Grand Lodge 
(Moderns) voted: “‘That this Grand Lodge do agree in 
opinion with the Committee of Charity that it is not 
necessary any longer to continue in force those measures 
which were resorted to in or about the year 1739 respect- 
ing irregular Masons, and do therefore enjoin the sev- 
eral lodges to revert to the Antient Landmarks of the 
Society.” Reconciliation, amalgamation, unity and har- 
mony did not come, in England, until 1813, although in 
the United States it soon followed the close of the Revo- 
lutionary War. 

The facts stated in this chapter are demonstrable. 
The conclusions are my own inferences from the few, the 
very few, known facts, and are offered merely for what 
they are worth. 


NoTE: See discussion by Ball in 5 Q.C.A. 136; “The difference be- 
tween English and Irish Rituals treated Historically,’ by J. H. Lepper, 
published by Irish Lodge of Research, 200, in 1920; “The Causes of 
Divergence in Ritual,” by Roscoe Pound, 1915 Mass. 143, reprinted in 
The Builder for November, 1917. 


CHAPTER XXV 
CONCLUSION 


For the statements of fact hereinbefore contained the 
original sources of information have been examined. 
References by way of citation have been included which 
will lead the reader to those original sources of informa- 
tion if he desires to pursue his inquiries further and 
verify the facts for himself. 

Little probative value has been given to the text of 
any author later than Preston (1772), except only where 
he has actually quoted the language of the authority 
upon which the statement has been made. I have 
assumed the correctness of the actual quotations in 
Mackey’s “History of Freemasonry in South Carolina” ; 
and in McClenachan’s and Lang’s Histories of Freema- 
sonry in New York; in Sachse’s “Benjamin Franklin as 
a Freemason” and ‘Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsyl- 
vania’”’; and in some other works cited. 

A brief summary of some of the principal events in 
the introduction of Freemasonry into the western hemi- 
sphere may be made as follows: 

1. Freemasonry was introduced into the Colonies of 
North America at an unascertained period in the early 
part of the 18th century. 

2. These earliest Lodges were “occasional,” meeting 
“according to the Old Customs.” They had no charters 
or warrants, but met as other Lodges had met prior to 


the organization of the Grand Lodge system. 
379 


380 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


3. The first Freemason definitely known to be in the 
western hemisphere was Governor Jonathan Belcher of 
Massachusetts Bay Colony, in 1705. 

4. The earliest use in America in writing or in print 
of the word ‘‘Freemason” (so far as now known) was 
in the Boston News Letter for January 5, 1718/9. 

5. The first Lodge meeting in the western hemisphere, 
the knowledge of which is supported by something more 
than pure tradition, was probably held in King’s Chapel, 
Boston, in 1720. 

6. The first known American newspaper account re- 
lating to Freemasonry was published in Boston, May 
Wiad Seg 

7. The first deputation for a Provincial Grand Master 
in the western hemisphere was that issued June 5, 1730, 
by the Duke of Norfolk to Daniel Coxe, appointing him 
Provincial Grand Master for New York, New Jersey 
and Pennsylvania for two years. There is no evidence 
that this deputation was ever exercised. 

8. The first American newspaper item concerning a 
Lodge meeting in the western hemisphere (so far as now 
known) was published in the Philadelphia Gazette for 
December 8, 1730. 

9. The oldest American Lodge account-book known is 
“Libr B,” beginning with June 24, 1731, belonging to 
a Lodge meeting “according to the Old Customs’”—that 
is to say, without charter or warrant, in Philadelphia. 

10. The first known Warrant, Deputation, Commis- 
sion, or other authority, issuing from the Grand Lodge 
of England or its Grand Master (or from any other 
Masonic organization or officer, for that matter) to be 
exercised in America was that (April 13, 1733) by vir- 


CONCLUSION 381 


tue of which Henry Price founded a Provincial Grand 
Lodge in Boston, July 30, 1733. 

11. The first regular and duly constituted Lodge in 
America was the First Lodge in Boston, July 30, 1733. 

12. The first Lodge in America to be registered by 
the Grand Lodge of England in the official list of Lodges 
was the First Lodge at Boston. 

13. The first Masonic officer in the Western World 
to have jurisdiction over the whole of North America 
was Henry Price, whose authority was extended thus 
broadly in August, 1734. 

14. The first Masonic book published in America was 
Franklin’s Reprint (Philadelphia, 1734) of Anderson’s 
Constitutions. 

15. The first exercise by any Masonic authority in 
America of the right to grant provincial Masonic powers 
was the appointment of Benjamin Franklin as “Pro- 
vincial Grand Master of the Province of Pennsylvania,” 
February 21, 1734/5, by Henry Price, “Grand Master 
of His Majesty’s Dominions in North America.” 

16. Regular authority was granted for the establish- 
ment of duly constituted Freemasonry in New England 
in 1733; in all North America in 1734; in Pennsyl- 
vania in 1734; in South America in 1735; in South 
Carolina, Georgia and New Hampshire in 1735 or 1736; 
in the West Indies and New York in 1737; in Antigua 
and Nova Scotia in 1737/8; in Jamaica and St. Chris- 
topher in 1739; in the Barbados in 1739/40; in Ber- 
muda, 1742; in Newfoundland, 1746; in San Domingo, 
1748; and in Rhode Island, 1749. 

17. By the close of the first half of the century not 
less than forty Lodges had sprung from the Provincial 


382 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Grand Lodge in Boston. Others had been warranted 
direct from London. 

18. The first anti-Masonic movement known upon 
this side of the Atlantic was successfully directed against 
the Fraternity in Pennsylvania, beginning in 1737. 

19. The earliest record book still preserved of any 
Lodge in the Western Hemisphere is that of the Masters 
Lodge in Boston, beginning December 22, 1738. 

20. The existing records of the First Lodge in Boston 
begin on December 27, 1738. 

21. The known records of St. John’s Lodge of Ports- 
mouth, N.H., begin October 31, 1739. 

22. The known records of Tun Tavern Lodge at Phil- 
adelphia begin June 28, 1748. 

23. The contemporaneous records of the Provincial 
Grand Lodge at Boston begin April 15, 1750, and Massa- 
chusetts has Grand Lodge records continuously from that 
date to this, being the oldest Grand Lodge records known 
in the western hemisphere. 

24. The first procession of a Masonic Lodge in public 
in America, now known, was that of the Lodge at 
Charleston, South Carolina, on May 26, 1737. 

25. The first public procession in America definitely 
known to be in regalia was that in Boston, June 24, 1737. 

26. The first time that a Lodge in America is known 
to have attended church in due form was at the Bar- 
bados, June 24, 1740. 

27. The first record of the construction of a Masonic 
hall in the western hemisphere is dated April 4, 1744, 
and concerns the Lodge room of “The Great Lodge at 
St. John’s in Antigua.” 

28. The earliest copy now extant of a sermon deliv- 


CONCLUSION 383 


ered to the Fraternity is that of the Rev. Bro. Brockwell 
at Christ Church, Boston, preached at the festival of St. 
John the Evangelist in 1749. 

29. The Freemasonry in America of the period dealt 
with is that emanating from the Grand Lodge of Eng- 
land, organized in 1717, known as ‘‘Moderns.”’ Just 
as this period closes, the Grand Lodge known as the 
“Antients” began: to exercise its influence in America. 

30. The leading men of the Colonies in mercantile, 
military and civil life were in these early days members 
of the Fraternity. Illustrations of this have appeared 
in the various sketches of some of the principal officers 
which will be found in this volume. 

31. The ritual was in a more or less fluid condition 
during all of this period. See Chapter 24. 

32. Henry Price was, as he said himself, the ‘Founder 
of Duly Constituted Freemasonry in America.” 

33. The Grand Lodge founded by Henry Price, 
July 30, 1733, has maintained a continuous existence 
from that day to this. The same is true of the First 
Lodge in Boston, now St. John’s Lodge. These two 
bodies, over one hundred and ninety years old at the 
present writing, have successfully weathered all storms 
of war and persecution. The Grand Lodge of Massa- 
chusetts and its eldest child are, therefore, entitled to 
precedence as the two oldest existing organizations of 
Freemasons in the western hemisphere. J am not aware 
of any Masonic body in America existing at any time 
during the first half of the eighteenth century which is 
able, by unassailable evidence, conclusively to demon- 
strate unbroken continuity from its establishment until 
to-day except the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. In 


384 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


all other cases there are still broken links in the chain of 
proof. It is my fervent hope that future research will 
weld many broken links. 

As an encouragement to other workers in similar fields, 
let me say that at one time it was believed that the 
Grand Lodge founded by Henry Price suspended opera- 
tions from 1775 until 1787. 

16 M.F.M. 195. 

By constant delving into the secrets of the past, the 

error of that belief was shown by 1914. 

1914 Mass. 273. 
And in the ten years since then I have found more facts 
as yet unpublished. ‘They are what lawyers call cumu- 
jative evidence,—interesting but not essential to the 
proof. 


We have now learned how the seeds were sown in 
America for the birth and growth of Freemasonry. Its 
influence upon the establishment and development of the 
institutions of the United States does not so powerfully 
appear during the period treated by this book as it will 
when the Masonic history of the last half of the 18th 
century is adequately presented. A study of the tre- 
mendous influence which Freemasonry had in the pre- 
Revolutionary days, in the years of that war, and 
throughout the formative period of American institu- 
tions, will demonstrate that Freemasonry has exercised 
a greater influence upon the establishment and develop- 
ment of American civilization and the fundamentals of 
this Government than any other single institution. 

Neither general historians nor the members of the 
Fraternity since the days of the first Constitutional Con- 
ventions have ever realized how much the United States 


CONCLUSION 385 


of America owes to Freemasonry, and how great a part 
it played in the birth of the nation and the establishment 
of the Landmarks of that civilization which has given 
to the citizens of this great land the liberty which they 
enjoy, and by indirection has guided the development 
of all civilization of the world in those countries where 
the accomplishments of war are not the w/tima thule of 
human endeavour. 

We cannot fail profoundly to be interested to learn 
more of this institution during the eighteenth century, in 
order that the real facts may be presented to the world. 
When they are, Freemasonry in the United States will 
not only be prouder of its past than it is to-day, but— 
what is more vital—will be thoroughly impressed with 
its duty energetically to protect and preserve the free 
institutions of America which it was the privilege of our 
Masonic forebears to establish. 






he te oO 


7 vn me 





INDEX 


A. Q. C., see Abbreviations, p. 
xi 
Abbott, John, 99 
Abercrombie, James, 324 
Aberdour, Lord, 139 
Aberry, Joseph, 313 
Abraham, 19 
Abraham, Plains of, 305 
Acadia, 198 
Account books, 30 
Adams, John, 338, 345 
Africa, 202 
Aix-la-Chapelle, Treaty of, 198 
Akins, John, 227 
Aleppo, 206 
Allen, W., 68, 69-70, 80, 274, 
369 
portrait of, 70 
American Philosophical Society, 
160 
Amherst, General, 305 
Amil, John, 274 
Amsterdam, 153 
“Ancients,” 200, 377, 383 
Grand Lodge of the, 23 
Anderson, Hugh, 244, 261, 269 
Anderson, Rev. James, 29, 42, 
555230 
Anderson, R., 359 
*“‘Anderson’s Constitutions,” 29, 
34 
Annapolis, Maryland, 71, 197 
date of constitution of lodge 
in, 117 
Annapolis, Nova Scotia, 43, 218 
date of constitution of lodge 


in, 117 


Annapolis Royal, 198, 200, 218 
*“Antients,” see “Ancients” 
Anti-masonry, 

a constitution by the Pope 
against Freemasonry in 
1738, 206 

article in the Boston Evening- 
Post, 1751, 328 

attitude of French court, 180 

campaign by Philadelphians 
against, 191] 

catechism against masonry in 
Paris and Rome, 1739, 221 

exposé of, in Philadelphia, by 
Franklin, 60 

first, in America, directed 
against Fraternity in Penn- 
sylvania, 382 

in Avignon, causes formation 
of a new society, 277 

in Lisbon, 274, 294 

in Paris, 192 

in Philadelphia, 191 

in Poland, 226 

in Vienna, 273 

mob action against Masons 
in Holland, 153 

procession by mock masons, 
286 

Antigua, 169, 187, 381 

Antigua Lodge, 232 

Baker’s Lodge, 218 

Bassatee (Basseterre) Lodge, 
232 

Courthouse Lodge, 232 

date of constitution of lodge 
in, 117 


387 


388 


Antigua, Cont. 
first record of construction of 
Masonic hall in, 382 
Grand Master ‘Tomlinson 
visits, and makes some Ma- 
sons, 20] 
letter to First Lodge in Bos- 
ton, 228 
petition to Grand Lodge for 
a new lodge-room, 284 
St. Mary’s Street Lodge, 232 
Antigua Lodge, 232 
Appy, John, 335 
Arcana, 373 
Archdall, 372 
Arlington, 97 
Assistance, Writs of, case of, 
336 
Ashton, Thomas, 274, 278 
Atkins, John, 221 
Atkinson, Mr., 303 
Auchmuty, 344 
Audibert, Phillip, see “O’de- 
bart” 
Austin, Capt. John, 367 
Authorities, on Freemasonry, 28 
Avignon, 277 


Badger, Benj., 361 
Baker, John, 158 
Baker’s Lodge, 170, 218 
Balcarras, Lord, 136 
Ball, William, 265, 272 
Baltimore, Lord, 61, 72 
Banister v. Henderson, case of, 
344 
Barbados, 234, 381 
Lodge in America attends 
church in due form for first 
time in, 382 
St. Michael’s Lodge, 234, 238 
Barnsley, Capt. Henry, 348 


FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Barons, see “Barrons, Benja- 
min” 
Barrons, Benjamin, 147, 155, 
ten Hy) 
Barons Letter, 38, 82, 90, 317 
Bassatee Lodge, see “Basse- 
terre Lodge” 
Basseterre, 221 
Basseterre Lodge, 232 
Bastide, John Henry, 303 
Batson, Thomas, 76, 78, 94, 
Sis) | 
Batter, Enas, 361, 363 
Baulos, Fran’s, 350 
Baxter, Thomas, 239 
Bayard, Belthazer, see “Byard” 
Beaufort, Duke of, 75 
Beckford, Ballinger, 294 
Beginnings of Freemasonry, 
19 
Beker, Martin, 364 
Belcher, Andrew, 52, 80, 88, 
150) 157 
Belcher, Jonathan, 49, 52, 94, 
Ll), 157, 200, 274382 
21d 4212) 
acknowledgment of past fa- 
vors, from First Lodge, 
255 
appointment as Governor of 
the Jerseys, 320 
first freemason known in 
western hemisphere, 380 
letter from, to First Lodge in 
Boston, 321 
Senior Freemason of Amer- 
ica, 49 
visits Grand Lodge at Lon- 
don, 293 
Bell, Henry, 59 
letter of, vi 


Belviel, 295 


INDEX 


Benjamin Franklin as a Free- 


mason, 379 

Bennett, Capt. John, 361, 
363 

Bennett, Capt. Joseph, 195, 
196 


Bermuda, 381 
Beteilhe & Price, 209 
Beteilhe, Francis, 33, 35, 81, 
mE OS eis ib 5) 15720161, 
209, 214, 228 
Beteilhe Manuscript, 36, 75, 81, 
S250, 112, 156) 317 
facsimile of pages 4, 5 and 6 
of, 85-87 
facsimile of pages 13 and 14 
of, 39, 40 
Bethune, Nathaniel, 165 
Bickford, Capt. Eliakim, 264 
Bingham, James, 123 
Binney, Capt. Paul, 324 
Bishop, William, 262, 263 
Bladwell, Charles, 150, 157 
Blake, Thomas, 358 
Blackerby, Nathaniel, 108 
Blandford Lodge, 110 
Blessington, Earl of, 200 
Blyth, Robert, 269 
Bogle, Capt. Thomas, 323 
Bond, Thomas, 113 
Boston, 37, 58, 66, 82, 101 
account from Vienna of anti- 
masonic disturbance, 273 
account of a festival celebra- 
tion done in verse, 223 
a Grand Lodge formed by 
Henry Price, 80, 330 
amendment of by-laws of 
First Lodge, 132 
an account of a celebration of 
Festival of John the Bap- 
erat 222 


389 


Boston, Cont. 

brethren in, first to be consti- 
tuted by regulation of 
1721, 48 

Bunch of Grapes Tavern, 
130, 136 

“By-laws” of 
Lodge, 104 

celebration at First Lodge, 
and election of a Master, 
113 

celebration of festival by 
Grand Lodge, 364 

Christ Church, 36 

Constitution of First Lodge, 
date of, 90 

contemporaneous records of 
Provincial Grand Lodge 
began April 13, 1750, 372 

earliest traces of Freemasonry 
in, 48, 50 

Exchange Tavern, 148 

facsimile of list of members 
in 1736 of First Lodge, 159 

fee for making raised, in 
First Lodge, 312 

First Lodge in, see “First 
Lodge in Boston” 

first newspaper account of 
Freemasonry published in, 
380 

“Free Masons Jewels” adver- 
tised, 298 

Grand Master of Masons in, 
1769, 35 

Henry Price removed to, 55 

item in Gazette for April 1, 
1734, 111 

letter to Boston Gazette, on 
secret societies, 215 

Lodge of Glasgow Kilwin- 
ning, 165 


the First 


390 


Boston, Cont. 
Masters Lodge, see “Masters 
Lodge”’ 
Mother Lodge of America, 
257 
news of the formation in 
Avignon of a new society 
after ban of freemasonry, 
277 
newspapers in, 41, 128 
notice of a procession, 222 
Oxnard receives deputation, 
278 
“physical perfection” over- 
ruled in 1732, 70 
portrait of Henry Price 
painted, 201 
Provincial Grand Lodge of 
the Western Hemisphere, 
26 
Provincial Grand Lodge, 35, 
123 
reference in 1732 to the Papal 
Nuncio, 72 
resolution passed by First 
Lodge on membership, etc., 
133 
Royal Exchange Tavern, see 
“First Lodge” and “Royal 
Exchange Tavern” 
Saint Andrew’s Lodge, 110, 
249 
Second Lodge in, 116, 368, 
“Sign of the Bunch of 
Grapes” in, 88 
the “Brazen Head,” 126 
Third Lodge in, 369 
White Horse Tavern, 369 
Boston Harbor, 304 
Boston Marine Society, 335 
Bostonian Society, 128 
Boude, John, 361, 367, 368 


FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Boude, Thomas, 68 

Boutin, Capt. John, 276, 278 

Bowers, Henry, 361, 367 

Bowers, Robert, 321 

Bowman, Alexander, 136, 208 

Bowman, Samuel, 261 

Box, John, 237, 241 

Boyd, Capt. Robert, 148, 157 

Bradford, Capt. John, 312 

“Brazen Head,” the, 126 

Breed’s Hill, 306 

Breintnall, Joseph, 114 

Brenton, Benjamin, 108 

Bridgeton, 234, 240 

Brimsdon, Benj., see “Brim- 
ston” 

Brimston, Benjamin, 302 

Bristol Lodge, 134 

Brockwell, Rev. Charles, 117, 
118, 313,:328) 3313364 

copy of sermon of, now earli- 

est sermon extant deliv- 
ered to the Fraternity, 382 

Brown, John, 366, 367 

Browne, Isaac, 112, 121 

Bruce, Capt. James, 362 

Bruliet, John, 361, 362, 363 

Brunette, James, 266 

Brydges, James, Marquis of 
Carnarvan, 330 

Bucceleugh, Duke of, 136 

Buck, James, 312 

Bunch of Grapes Tavern, 88, 
130; 156 

Buckley, Peter, 185 

Bunker’s Hill, 306 

Bushhill, Pa., 137 

Burlington, 321 

Burnett, Governor, 49 

Buttler, Capt. Michael, 347 

Byam, Francis, 284 

Byard, Belthazer, 119, 325, 351 


INDEX 


By-laws, 209, 211, 231, 233, 
373 
facsimile of by-laws of First 
Lodge in Boston, 105 
Byles, Daniel, 298 
Byron, Lord, 69, 369 


Cade, Peter, 245 
Cadwallader, Thomas, 59, 175 
Cahill, Edward, 259, 266 
Calef, Saml., 361 
Calendar, 42 
Cahor, Capt. Edward, 230 
Cambridge, 97, 99, 101, 169 
Campble, 349 
Campling, Thomas, 267 
Campunnall, Mordecai, 45 
Cape Ann, 307 
Cape Breton, 202, 218, 304, 315 
Cario, Michael, 175 
Carnarvon, Marquis, 215 
Carolina, 62 
Caruthers, John, 181 
Castle William, 307 
Catherwood, John, 120 
Central America, 25 
Cerke, Capt. James, 145, 157 
Charles, Robert, 241 
Charles Town, see “Charleston” 
Charlestown, Mass., 49, 257 
Charleston, S. C., 41, 121, 134, 
139, 179, 243 
a play given by Masons in, 
174 
Harp and Crown Lodge, 189 
account of the celebration of 
a festival, 260 
celebration of a festival, 268 
first public masonic proces- 
sion held in, 382 
notice of a festival held in 


1737, 211 


391 
Charleston, S. C., Cont. 


notice of lodge meeting of 
Solomon’s Lodge, 162 
Solomon’s Lodge, 135, 162 


Charlestown, see ‘“Charles- 
ton” 

Charters, Capt. Harry, 335 

Checkley, | Attorney-General, 
344 

Chester, 78 


Chignecto, 197 

Christ Church, Boston, 36 

Clare, Martin, 215 

Clarke, Capt. Edward, 
““Clerke”’ 

Clarke, William B., ix, 142 

Clavel’s Histozre Pittoresque de 
la France Maconnerie, 62 

Clerke, Capt. Edward, 175 

“Cloathed,” being, 107 

Clifford, Capt. Benjamin, 361, 
367 

Coffin, William, 117, 118, 289, 
294, 298, 331 

Collson, John, see “Colson” 

Colon, 24 

Colson, John, 297, 314 

Columbus, 24 

Colvill, Alexander Lord, 281, 
328 

Comins, Capt. Robert, 202, 218, 
313, 314 

Commins, see “Comins” 

Conally, John, 322 

Concord, 97, 101 

Conolly, John, see “Conally” 

Connally, John, see “Conally” 

Connecticut, 101, 281 

Copley, John Singleton, 282, 
290 

Copley, Richard, 290 

Constantinople, 206 


see 


392 


Constitutions, the, 29, 36, 112, 
1207125 

Cornwallis, Governor, 198 

Cornwallis, Hon. Edward, 
200 

Cossett, Peter, 264 

Cotton, Rev. J., 291 

Court of Oyer and Terminer, 
199 

Court-House Lodge, 284 

Coxe, Daniel, 56, 59, 74, 78, 
380 

Cranstoun, Lord, 314 

Crapp, John, 72, 80 

Crawfurd, Earl of, 115, 122, 
136 

Crawford, Charles, 238 

Crawford, James, 155 

Crokatt, James, 188, 212 

Crookshanks, John, 187 

Cross, Thomas, 299, 300 

Crown Point, 304 

Cuff, Peter, 79 

Cumins, see “Comins” 

Cunningham, John, 206 

Curwen, Samuel, 123, 158 

Curwin, 344 

Curwin, Sam, see ““Curwen” 

Cushing, John, 338, 345 

Cutyer, Timothy, 168 


Dabney, John, 230 

Dalton, William, 349 

Darling, Capt. Henry, 261 

Darnley, Earl of, 173, 183, 185, 
245 

Dates, confusion of, 42, 

Davis, Antony, 158 

Davis, Nicholas, 162 

Davis, Thomas W., 76 

Day, James, 313, 314 

Day, Capt. William, 313, 351 


FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Deblois, Stephen, 187, 223, 225, 
236 

Declaration of Independence, 
signers of and masonry, 
20 

Deering, William, 175 

Delebraz, Lewis, 293 

Delavoux, Alexander, 219 

Demoulin, Louis, 282, 295 

Denne, Thomas, 162 

Dennie, Albert, 175, 227 

De Ramezay, 197 

Derby, Nathaniel, 184 

Dermott, Lawrence, 200 

Desaguliers, Dr. John The- 
ophilus,’ 109, 1963021): 
231 

Devil Tavern Lodge, 57, 60, 
186)31 70,3215. 

Diamond, George, 263 

Dillon, Peter, 231 

“Dispenceation,” 275 

D’Laboladree, Anthony, 299 

D’Laboulerdree Anthony, see 
“D’ Laboladree”’ 

D’Larue, Elias, 352 

Dolobaratz, Lewis, see “Dele- 
braz”’ 

Dorchester Heights, 307 

Douglas, Sholto Charles, see 
““Aberdour, Lord” 

Douglas, Capt. William, 173, 
202, 218 

Douxsaint, Paul, 358 

Dove, John, 110, 249 

Dowse, Benjamin, 53 

Doyle, Thomas A., 46 

Draper, John, 365 

Dublin, 63, 65, 66 

Duchee, Anthony, 368 

“Duly constituted,” 25, 26, 48, 
54 


INDEX 


“Duly constituted” lodges, 57, 
63 

Dunster, Capt. Thomas, 245 

Durand, see “Durant” 

Durant, Rev. Thomas, 
261, 269 

Dure, Andrew, 313 

Durfee, Mr., 235, 236 

Durfey, Thomas, see “Durfee” 

Durham, 280 

Dwight, Jonathan, 324, 351 

Dyson, Alice, 197 

Dyson, Ann, 197 

Dyson, John, 197 


BLS; 


Earle, Dr., 231 
East India, 78 
Ebenezer, Ga., 144 
Edinburgh, Scotland, 38 
laying of cornerstone by fra- 
ternity, 208 
Elbert, Major General Samuel, 
141 
Ellery, William, 349 
Elliott, Gray, 141, 143 
Eliot, John, 47 
Ellis, Edmund, see “Lewis” 
Ellis, Dr. Edward, 276, 295 
Emerson, John, 68 
Emerson, Lambert, 108 
Endicott, Henry, 92 
England, 22, 374 
Devil Tavern lodge, 170 
Grand Lodge forbids printing 
of lodge news in news- 
papers, 259 
records of the Grand Lodge 
of, 31 
Grand Lodge of, see “Grand 
Lodge of England” 
regulations of the 


Lodge of, 59 


Grand 


393 


England, Cont. 

Red Lyon Tavern, 90 
English Official List of 1761, a 
facsimile of page 6, 84 

Entick, Rev., 332 

Epps, William, 361, 363 
Erving, John, 119, 342 
Esdaile, Thomas, 175 

Euclid, 19 

Euing, James H., see “Ewing” 
Evans, Edward, 123 

Eve, John, 357 

Ewing, Capt. James H., 353 
Exchange Tavern, 148 


Falckner, see “Falkner” 
Falkner, Capt. Gilbert, 363, 
371 
Farr, 361 
Farrar, George, 100 
Farrell, I., 236 
Farrell, John (James), 154, 
158 
Felicity, Order of, 277 
Fellows, N., 233 
Fenwick, Robert, 197 
Ferritor, Nicholas, 347 
First Lodge, in Boston, 37, 75, 
81, 82, 83, 112, 169, 301 
account of postponement of 
meeting, 254 
alarm of French fleet causes 
Lodge to be unopened, 311 
amendment of the by-laws, 
132 
by-laws of, and facsimile, 
104-105 
Captain McLean chosen Mas- 
ter, 146 
celebration of a festival, 354 
charge of making a brother, 


147 


394 


First Lodge, Cont. 

Charles Pelham proposed as 
secretary, 289 

continuous existence from 
founding to present day, 
383 

earliest original records of, 
210 

E. J. Philipps made member 
of, 199 

entertains Governor Belcher, 
278 

fee for making raised, 312 

first regular and duly consti- 
tuted Lodge in America, 
381 

letter from Antigua in an- 
swer to congratulations 
on founding lodge there, 
228 

list of names of members of, 
in 1736, 157-159 

Masters Lodge gives set of 
candles to, 300 

meeting of Auditing Com- 
mittee, 366 

moves from “Bunch of 
Grapes Tavern” to Royal 
Exchange Tavern, 136 

original minute books, 356 

petition sent to England for 
appointment of a Grand 
Master, 262 

provisions made for visiting 
brothers, 312 

records, 41 

“Remonstrance” presented at 
meeting, 236 

resolution on “enter’d ap- 
prentices,”’ 166 

resolution on 


brothers, 155 


new made 


FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


First Lodge, Cont. 
resolution on one month’s no- 
tice to Lodge before admit- 
tance, 164 
rules concerning letters of 
recommendation for for- 
eign travel, 268 
thanks to Mr. Belcher for 
past favours on his part 
to, 255 
uses word “passed” when re- 
ferring to the second de- 
gree, 374 
First Lodge in New Hampshire, 
facsimile of petition for, 149 
First Lodge in Portsmouth, 33, 
115 
facsimile of page of records 
OLeoe, 
original minute books, 356 
Fishbourne, Capt., 244 
Fisher, John, 358 
Fitch, Samuel, 342 
Flanegan, 358, 360, 362 
Fleet, Thomas, 327, 328 
Florence, Italy, 206 
Fluds, William, 188 
Forbes, Capt. James, 117, 118, 
145, 157, 255, 331 
Fort, James, 232 
Fort Halifax, 304 
Foster, 358, 362 
Foy, William, 265 
France, 305 
Franklin, Benjamin, 30, 31, 36, 
58, 64, 68, 121, 130, 163, 
182, 272, 330, 381 
an exposé of Freemasonry, 
59 
appointed Grand Master of 
Pennsylvania by Price, 


124, 131, 357 


INDEX 


Franklin, Benjamin, Cont. 
becomes Deputy Grand Mas- 
ter of Pennsylvania, 369 
communications with Price, 
124-126 
elected Grand Master, 113 
first advertisement of his re- 
print of the Constitutions, 
AZ 
lays cornerstone of Inde- 
pendence Hall, 150 
letter to, from Provincial 
Grand Lodge at Boston, 
123 
letter to the “gentlemen of 
the Lodge,” 66 
made a Freemason, 60 
meets Price, 91 
portrait of, 126 
writes letter to family about 
Freemasonry, 203 
Franklin, James, 112, 122 
Franklin, Peter, 112, 121, 122 
Franklin’s Constitutions, 119 
“Franklin’s Journal,’ 33, 34, 
64, 120, 121 
“Franklin’s Reprint of Ander- 
son’s Constitutions,’ 381] 
Frazier, Capt. John, 154, 158 
French, Alexander, 174, 226 
French, Thomas, 75 
“Freemason,” first use of word, 
380 
Freemasonry, 
a summing up of the volume, 


age of, 19, 21 

authorities on, 28 

arcana of period covered by 
this volume, 373 

beginnings of, 19 

definition ef, 23 


395 


Freemasonry, Cont. 
earliest traces of, in western 
hemisphere, 43 
founding of duly constituted, 
in, 74 
Freemasonry and Anctent Gods, 
24 
Frost, Capt. William, 148, 157 
Furney, Capt. John, 241 
Fuller, Jonathan, 349, 357 


Gallagher, Charles T., 47 
Gamble, William, 371 
Gardner,’ 103) 21541309157; 
348, 353 
Gardner, William S., 45 
Gates, Horatio, 197 
Gautier, Charles, 264 
Gedney, 344 
George, Sidney, 347 
Georgetown, S. C., 283 
Georgia, 29, 49, 61, 83, 214, 
3/6008! 
charity by English masons to 
help colonise, 111 
Grand Lodge of, 139 
planting the new colony, 108 
statement of “regularity” of 
Grand Lodge of, 138 
settlement of colony by Ogle- 
thorpe, 141 
Germantown, 205 
Gerot, Elizabeth, 168 
Gerret, Elizabeth, see “‘Gerot” 
Gilman, Nathaniel, 367 
Glasgow, Kilwinning Lodge, 
38, 165 
Glentworth, Capt. 
363, 367, 368 
Gloucester, 307 
Glover, Robert, 295, 296 
Gofton, Webber, 148, 157 


Thomas, 


“396 


Gordon, Alexander, 145, 157 
Gordon, Charles, 157 
Gordon, James, 89, 110, 130, 
Lo Sel ee Ole LO2 ne Ss. 
212 
Gordon, John, 158 
Gorham, Joseph, 366 
Gorwood, Charles, 320, 322 
Gough, James, 295, 301 
Gould, J. L., 44, 45 
Gould, N. H., 44, 46 
Gould, R. F., 20, 30, 91, 165 
Governor’s Island, 307 
Graeme, James, 165, 181, 183, 
187, 212, 233, 244, 269 
Granary Burying Ground, 346 
Grand Lodge of England, 23, 
Lbyroyey lee fy, AY 
appointment of Provincial 
Grand Master for South 
America, 133 
Daniel Coxe a member of, 
60 
deeds performed by, during 
1730-1740, 376 
minutes of a Communication 
of, 108 
regulations of, 59 
Grand Lodge of Georgia, 140 
Grand Lodge of Ireland, 138 
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 
155 
fire of 1864 destroys records 
of, 82 
founded by Henry Price, 382 
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, 
why? 
Grand Lodge of Scotland, 249 
Grand Pré, 197 
Graham, John, 
Grayham, Capt. Archibald, 319 
Green, Joseph, 223 


FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Greenleaf, Stephen, 298 

Grice, William, 130 

Gridley, Jeremy (Jeremiah), 
119, 326-347 

Gridley, Rebecca, 303 

Gridley, Richard, 301, 303 

Gruchy, Thomas James, 266, 
301 

Guadaloupe, 239 

Givin, John, 244, 261, 269 

Gwinne, John, see “Givin” 

Gwinn, John, see “Givin” 


Habersham, James, 144 
Hague, the, 153 
Haliburton, T. C., 43 
Halifax, 198, 199, 200 
date of constitution of lodge 
TB IF 
Lodge constituted at, by 
Grand Lodge of England, 
370 
Hall, John, 66 
Hall, P., 242, 274 
Hallowell, Benjamin, 117, 118, 
1485157; 170, elves 
209, 236, 255, 284, 331 
Hallyburton, Andrew, 157 
Hamilton, Andrew, 69, 137 
Hamilton, Frederick, 89, 113, 
1S a1ss 
Hamilton, James, 112, 136 
portrait of, 138 
Hamilton, John, 227 
Hamilton, Otho, 197 
Hammerton, John, 134, 152, 
162, -181}..203, e215 e26)- 
269 
Hammond, Peter, 313 
Hampton, N. H., 197, 371 
Harbin, Thomas, 162 


INDEX 


Hardgrove, Hugh, 322 

Harp and Crown Lodge, 188 

Harramond, Henry, 269 

Harris, Capt. R. V., 44, 363, 
366 

Hart, Robert, 233 

Hartt, Thos., 68 

Hatch, Estes, 313 

Hayden, Sidney, Washington 
and his Masonic Compeers, 
14] 

Heard, John T., 102 

Heath, Major General, 307 

Hemlin, Edward, 358, 360 

Herbert, Newcoming, 313 

Heweton, Capt. John (James), 
298 

Hill, Andrew, 184 

Hill, Richard, 261 

Hinton, William, 147, 157 

Historical Society of Pennsyl- 
vania, 356 

History of Freemasonry in 
South Carolina, 181 

Histoire Paittoresque de la 
France Maconnerie, 62 

History of Printing, 326 

Hoar, Jonathan, 199 

Hobart, John, 64, 68 

Hodge, Sampson, 322 

Holbrook, J oseph, 277, 310 

Holbrook, Samuel, 119 

Holland, 173 

anti-masonic movement in, 

153 

Holland, Rogers, 109 

Hoad, Richard, 296 

Hoop Lodge, 150 

Hooper, Daniel, 254 

Hope, Henry, 81, 89, 157 

Hopkinson, Francis, 135, 160 

Hopkinson, Joseph, 160 


397 


Hopkinson, Thomas, 108, 159, 

160, 176 
portrait of, 160 

Horn Tavern Lodge, 58, 73 

Houghton, John, 212, 244 

Houstoun, Sir George, 143 

Houston, Sir Patrick, 123, 143 

How, Edward, 197, 198 

Howarth, George, 102 

Howe, John, 44 

Howell, Richard, 110 

Hubards, John, see “Hubbard” 

Hubbard, John, 34, 121, 150, 
163, 182, 342 

Hubert, John, see “Hobart” 

Huch, Dr. Richard, 335 

Hudson, Peter, 372 

Hugget, Capt. John, 
158 

Huggott, John, see “Hugget”’ 

Hughan, William J., 29 

Hull, 101 

“Humble Remonstrance”’ of Oc- 
tober 7, 1751, 368 

Humphrey, David, 175 

Hunes, Moses, 143 

Huntoon, Daniel T. V., 303, 
309 

Husk, John, 322, 324 

Huske, John, see “Husk” 

Huston, John, 362 

Hutchinson, James Carrel, 188, 
236 

Hutchinson, Lt. Governor, 338 

Huxley, Rev., 240 

Huxtall, M., 54 


154, 


Independence Hall, 150 

Indian King Lodge, 204, 252 

Indian King Tavern, 136, 178, 
180, 204 

Indigot, John, 362 


398 


Ingham, George T., 66 
Ion, Richard, 349 
Iowa, 29 
Ireland, 22, 30, 78, 374 
Grand Lodge of, see ‘““Grand 
Lodge of Ireland” 
Irish, Bagwell, 262 
Irwin, Andrew, 313 
Ives, Benjamin, 275 


Jackson, Dr. Charles T., dis- 
covery while in Nova Sco- 
tia in 1827, 43 
Jackson, Mrs. Mary, 95 
Jackson, William, 95 
Jamaica, 381 
appointment of Provincial 
Grand Masters in, 264 
lodge at St. Jago de la Vega, 
309 
lodge constituted at Kingston, 
219 
Port Royal lodge, 267 
James, Capt. John, 347 
James, Capt. Michael, 362 
Jenkins, Capt. Robert, 117, 118, 
22T GS oOP B45 00, 
366, 367 
Jenness, 348 
Johnson, Henry, 276, 285, 300 
Johonnot, Francis, 148, 158, 
236, 264 
Jones, Evan, 199 
Jones, John, 175 
Jones, Noble, 143, 301 
Joyce, Mark, 64 


Keith, Sir William, 109 
Kelby, Thomas, 262 

Keller, Edward, see ‘“‘Calior” 
Kennebec River, 304 
Kennelly, Thomas, 80, 88 


FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Kenton, Robert, 122, 157 

Kilby, Thomas, see “Kelby” 

Kilwinning Lodge, Glasgow, 
38 


Kilwinning Lodge, Mother, 26 

Kintore, Earl of, 239 

King Solomon’s Lodge, see 
“Solomon’s Lodge” 

King’s Chapel, 51, 52, 380 

Kingston, Jamaica, 219 

Kingston, Lord, 65 

Kipling, 361 


Lacey, Roger, 62, 138-139, 145 

Ladam, Capt. George, 243 

Lacy, Roger, see “Lacey” 

Lake George, 304 

Lamport, John, 231 

Lancaster, Pa., 137 

“Landmarks,” 23 

“perfect youth” and “physi- 

cal perfection,” 70 

Lane, 29 

Lawley, Sir Robert, 279 

Lawrence, Governor Charles, 
336 

Lawrence, Henry, 266 

Le Plougeon’s Sacred Mysteries 
Among the Mayas and 
Quiches, etc., 24 

Leacroft, Capt. Vina, 361 

Lee, John, 263 

Leeward Islands, 186 

Leddam, George, see “Ladain” 

Leddell, Henry, 117, 118, 331, 
360 

“Leger,” see “Leidger,” 34 

Leghorn, Italy, 206 

“Leidger E,” 34 

“Leidgers A & B,” 34 

Leigh, Hon. Peter, 331 

Lepper, J. H., 378 


INDEX 


Leverett, John, 116, 118, 361, 
367 
Levins, Samuel, 323, 358 
Lewis, Abigail, 326 
Lewis, Edmund, 272 
Lewis, Ezekiel, Hon., 326, 346 
Lewis, Henry, 175 
Lewis, Maurice, 181, 187, 212 
appointed to build up curtain 
line before Charleston Bay, 
182 
Lewis, Winslow, 102 
Lexington, 97 
“Liber A,” 3] 
“Liber B,” 31, 63, 64, 69 
facsimile of page of, 64 
“Libre A,” see ‘Liber A” 
“Libre B,” see ‘‘Liber B” 
Lining, John, 212 


Lisbon, 
anti-masonic measures in, 
274 
masonic victims of an Auto 
de Fe, 294 


Lists, official, of lodges, 28 
Littlejohn, David, 350 
Lockman, Leonard, 215 
Lodges, see under 
names 
Logan, Walter, 371 
Loggin, Jonathan, 34, 233 
London, 55, 56, 60, 61, 173 
account of procession and 
mock procession, 248 
anti-masonic article, 190 
charity by masons for settle- 
ment of Georgia, 111 
date of Henry Price’s Depu- 
tation, 79 
deputation issued to Price, 74 
Devil Tavern Lodge, 57, 60, 
136 


specific 


399 


London, Cont. 

Earl of Darnley entertains 
upon election as Grand 
Master, 180 

feast in honour of Duke of 
Lorrain, 161 

Grand Lodge in, see “Grand 
Lodge of England” 

Horn Tavern Lodge, 58, 73 

initiation of a Jew in, 71 

manifesto of the mock ma- 
sons, 250 

masonic procession 
L755 1350 

notice of opening of a new 
colony in America, 108 

Rainbow Coffee House 
Lodge, 61 

Rose Tavern Lodge, 71 

St. Michael’s Lodge, 66 

Lorrain, Duke of, 161, 184 

Loudoun, Earl of, 38, 152, 164, 
169, 183, 211, 304, 336 

Louisberg, 202, 218, 304, 315 

Lowndes, William, 261 

Luchy, Thomas James, 
“Gruchy”’ 

Lutwych, Edward, 88, 111, 136 

Lyle, John, 122 

Lynde, Benjamin, 338, 343 

Lyndhurst, Lord, 290 


evga bbe! 


see 


Mackay, Capt. Atneas, 323, 
351 

Mackeleen, Robert, 157 

Mackey, /Eneas, see 
kay”’ 

Mackey’s, History of Freema- 
sonry in South Carolina, 
134, 181, 188 

Mackinen, Robert, see “McKen- 


> 


nen 


“Mac- 


400 


Mackintosh, Shaw, 161 
Magdalen Isles, 305 
Malcum, Rev. Alexander, 320, 
322 
Mancell, Sir Edward, 136 
Manny, Franklin, 363, 368, 
371 
Manuscripts, 36 
“Mark Degree,” 22 
Marlow, Benjamin, 262, 263 
Maryland, 61, 71, 281 
tradition of a lodge in, in 
173750201 
Marquand, Daniel, 297 
Martin, William, 313 
Mascarene, 199 
Massachusetts, 29, 49, 112 
fire of 1864 destroyed early 
records of grand lodge, 
82 
Grand Lodge of, oldest in 
America, 45, 155, 383 
records of Grand Lodge of, 
35 
Massachusetts Bay, 197 
Massachusetts Historical So- 
ciety, 128 
Mason, William, 360, 361 
Masonic Records (2nd Edi- 
tion), 30 
Masonic (%) stone of 1606, 


A4 
Masonic War, 377 
“Masonry Dissected,” 22 
Massey, Samuel, 358 
Masters Lodge in Boston, 33, 
37, 2545276) 277; 377 
accounts of, 209 
adjourned for “substantial” 
reasons for two months, 
299 
first regular meeting of, 214 


FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Masters Lodge in Boston, Cont. 
founded by Thomas Oxnard, 
280 
founding of, 374 
gives set of candles to First 
Lodge, 300 
meeting of Auditing Commit- 
tee, 353 
original minute books, 356 
Mather, Cotton, 290 
Mathew, Isaac, 232 
Mathew, William, 229 
Maul, William, 254 
Maxwell, John, 174 
Mayas, 24 
Mazyck, William G., 162 
McAdams, Capt. Gilbert, 335 
McClanan, Samuel, 66 
McClellan, David, 212 
McDaniel, Hugh, 117, 118, 148, 
157/158)0 LO) Gs ae: 
236, 237,°25.5,725 og 
370 
McDaniel, Timothy, 232, 285 
McKay, Capt. Atneas, see 
“Mackay” 
McKay, Hugh, 353 
McKennen, Robert, 311 
McKenzie, Andrew, 316, 319, 
325, 374 
McKenzie, John, 269 
McKnight, Robert, 157 
McKnight, Capt. Thomas, 148 
McLean, Capt. Robert, 108, 146 
McNeal, John, 157 
McTaggart, Peter, 352 
Melvill, John, 336 
Menotomy Fields, 97, 99 
Mercer, William, 229 
Merchant, William, 300 
Michie, James, see “Mitchie” 
Michie, Kenneth, see ‘““Mitchie” 


INDEX 


Middletown, Conn., date of 
constitution of lodge in, 
117 


Middlesex, County of, 100 
Mitchell, George, 233 
Mitchell, W. H., 144 
Mitchie, James, 188, 212, 261, 
269 
Mitchie, Kenneth, 269 
Mock-masons, 
article by, 250 
procession by, 286 
“Moderns,” the, 22, 377, 383 
Moffat, Dr. Thomas, 145, 157, 
236 
Molony, Thomas, 158 
Moncrief, George, see ‘““Mone- 
rieff” 
Monerieff, George, 217, 375 
Monk, James, 231 
Montacute, Viscount, 189 
Montier, James, 227 
Montserrat, 48, 122, 130 
Montague, Rev. Brother, 51 
Montague, Viscount, 74, 75, 76, 
88, 331 
Montgomerie Arms Tavern, 215 
Montgomerie, Capt. Pat., see 
“Montgomery” 
Montgomery, Capt. Pat., 223 
Mooi, James, 331 
Moore, Charles W., 52, 63, 
140 
Moore, John, 50, 59 
letter of, vi 
Morel, John, 144 
Morrey, Humphrey, 80 
Morris, Col. John, 15, 158 
Morris, William, 220 
Moses, Abraham, 45 
Murray. Alexander, 212, 244, 
261, 269, 360 


401 


Murray, Humphrey, see “Mor- 
rey” 

Murray, Joseph, see “Murry” 

Murray, Walter, 358 

Murry, Joseph, 272 

Murrys, John, 229 

Musgrove, 62 


Nailor, John, 246 
Napper, Peter, see “Nappier” 
Nappier, John, 227 
Nappier, Peter, 227 
New England, 35, 74, 82, 83, 
197, 376, 381 
New Haven, Conn., date of 
constitution of lodge in, 
117 
Newfoundland, 281, 313, 381 
date of constitution of lodge 
in, 117 
New London, Conn., date of 
constitution of lodge in, 
LLY 
Newingham, John, 34, 
123 
New Hampshire, 49, 101, 381 
date of constitution of lodge 
in, 117 
petition for lodge at Ports- 
mouth, 148 
see also “Portsmouth” 
New Jersey, 56, 57 
Governor Belcher assumes 
duties, 320 
Newburyport, 99 
Newmarch, Thomas, 240 
Newport, R. I., 44, 46 
first meeting of lodge at, 365 
Lodge at, 364 
New York, 41, 56, 57, 376, 381 
newspaper published song for 
masons, 205 


108, 


402 


New York, Cont. 
Montgomerie Arms Tavern, 

215 

Newspapers, 41 

Newton, Thomas, 323 

Nicholas, Sam’, 68 

Nickerson, Sereno D., 47, 81, 
115 

Noble, Col. Arthur, 197 

Norfolk, Duke of, 56, 380 

Norfolk, Va., 248 

date of establishment of 

Royal Exchange Lodge in, 
109 | 

Norris, Capt. William, 222, 
223 

Norton, Jacob, vii 

Nova Scotia, 43, 44, 143, 195, 
197, 200, 370, 381 

Nunes, Daniel, 143 


O’debart, Phillip, 263, 278 

Official lists, 28 

Oglethorpe, General, 62, 141, 
143 

Oglethorpe, Newman, 188 

“Old charges,” 19, 24, 56 

“Old Constitutions,” 19, 24 

“Old customs,” 48, 60, 81 

Oliver, Capt. Edward, 243 

Oliver, Nathaniel, Jr., 327 

Oliver, Peter, 338, 362 

Oliver, Robert, 148 

Ord, John, 357, 358, 360, 361 

Orpin, Abraham, 265 

Orthodoxie, Macconnique, 62 

Osborne, John, 147, 157, 158, 
161, 165, 281 

Otis, James, 329, 339, 342, 344 

Overing, John, 147, 157, 210, 
327 

Owens, Owen, 80 


FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Oxnard, Sarah, 281 
Oxnard, Thomas, 33, 46, 116, 
148, 157, 1609 70m EG: 
235, 236, 245, 252;n278; 
285, 321, 328 
application made to for 
Grand Master for New 
Hampshire, 321 
appointed to wait upon Gov- 
ernor Belcher to thank him 
for past favours, 255 
brief account of life of, 280- 
282 
deputation as Prov. G. M., 
delivered to, 275 
facsimile of, 276 
grants constitution for Lodge 
in Newfoundland, 313 
petition to fill chair of Grand 
Master upon death of, 330 
petition to Grand Lodge to 
appoint, as Prov. G. M., 
262 
Oyston, John, 244, 261, 269 


Paisly, Robert, 166 
Panama, 25 

Parham, Antigua, 189 
Parham Lodge, 170 


Paris, 173 

anti-masonic measures in, 
184, 192 

notice against masons by 


king, 180 
Parker, Dr. William, 359, 360 
Parkhouse, Richard, 79 
Parks, Capt. Richard, 163 
Parry, David, 66, 68 
Pascal, Michael Henry, 348 
Paschal, William, 72 
“Passed,” use of word, 361 
Pateshall, Richard, 123, 158 


INDEX 


Patter, Simeon, 313 
Payne, John, 215 
Peach, Lewis, 358 
Pearson, Thomas, 293, 353 
Peaseley, Robert, 158 
Peddie, John, 55 
Pelham, Charles, 75, 80, 82, 
146, 233, 354, 372 
brief account of life of, 290- 
293 
made secretary of Masters 
Lodge, 300 
portrait of, 292 
Pelham, Helen, 291 
Pelham, Peter, 35, 74, 79, 119, 
Be MATa 2o3.02o6" 245, 
255, 258, 275, 374 
brief account of life of, 290- 
293 
certifies copy of Oxnard’s 
commission, 285 
portrait of, 230 
Pelham, Peter, Jr., 294 
Pelham List, 38, 82, 227, 228, 
299, 317,321 
Pemberton, Benjamin, 112, 157 
Pemberton, Samuel, 157 
Pennsylvania, 56, 57, 59, 112, 
205, 375, 381 
Allen appointed Grand Mas- 
ter of, by Grand Master of 
England, over Franklin, 
369 
First lodge in, 49 
Franklin’s appointment as 
Grand Master for, 124 
Grand Lodge of, 33 
no Grand Lodge records prior 
to July, 1779, 127 
proot that Massachusetts and 
not, was first “regularly 
constituted,” 383 


403 


Penn, Thomas, 123 

Pepperell, Col. William, 291, 
304 

Perchard, Daniel, 275 

“Perfect youth” doctrine, 70 

Petersburg, Va., 110 

Peterson, Rev. Edward, 44, 45 

Philadelphia, 31, 50, 58, 59, 90, 
203 


article in Pennsylvania Ga- 


zette, 63 

attempts to claim masonry in, 
in 1727, 56 

cornerstone of state house 
laid, 150 


dates of constitution of lodge, 
117 

discovery of “Libr B,” 63 

First Lodge, 34, 49 

first Lodge meeting notice 
published in newspaper in, 
380 

first meeting of Provincial 
Grand Lodge, 359 

Hoop Lodge, 150 

Indian King Lodge, 204, 252 

Indian King Tavern, 136, 
178 

newspapers in, 41 

petition sent Price from, 113 

some entries in 1731, 64 

some entries for 1732, 70-71 

Sun Tavern Lodge, 68 

trial of person, who in im- 
personating masons caused 
a death, 199 

Tun Tavern Lodge, 34, 80, 
354 

William Allen, career of, 69- 
70 

Phillips, Caleb, 230 
Phillips, E. J., see “Philipps” 


404 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Phillips, Capt. John, 301, 332 

Phillips, 
157 

Philipps, Ann, 197 

Philipps, Dorothy, 197 

Philipps, Elizabeth, 197 

Philipps, Erasmus James, 185, 
1520 21S. eo pee ia 
357, 360 

Philipps, John Erasmus, 197 

Philipps, Richard, 195 

Phoenix, Capt., 167 

“Physical perfection” doctrine, 


Pierce, Capt. Nathaniel, 313 
Plaister, Daniel, 285 
Plumstead, Clement, 178 
Plumsted, William, 114, 177, 
178, 181 
portrait of, 180 
Poland, 226 
Port Royal Lodge, 267 
Portsmouth Lodge, see “First 
Lodge in Portsmouth” 
Portsmouth, 49, 115, 233, 267, 
373, 382 
application for Provincial 
Grand Master, 321 
by-laws of the First Lodge, 
231 
First Lodge, 36 
Lodge meeting held on board 
frigate, 361 
petition for lodge at, 148 
Pound, Roscoe, 378 
Pratt, Henry, 32, 64, 68, 177, 
181, 345 
Prescott, Jonathan, 313 


Prescott, Peter, 108, 158, 
226 

Preston’s Illustrations, 28, 
42 


Thomas, 91, 97, 


Price, Charles, 262 
Price, Ezekiel, 119 
Price, Henry, 33, 35, 52, 74, 79, 


88, 155,157,161) 165169: 
189, 209, 214)°236j;e2558 
2/2, 289, S00 fSZ5 705k 

brief biography of, 92-103 

communications with Frank- 
lin, 124-126 

confers with Franklin about 
masonic matters, 113 

facsimile of letter recalling 
Price to the chair, 344 

deputation of, 75, 76, 210 

first exercise of Masonic au- 
thority in America used by, 
381 

first Provincial Grand Mas- 
ter of North America, 115 

forms Grand Lodge in Bos- 
ton, 37, 80 

founder of Freemasonry in 
America, 92 

Grand Master pro tem. upon 
death of Thomas Oxnard, 
330 

grants 
61 

investment of, 89 

meets Benjamin Franklin, 91 

nominated officers for the 
coming year, 130 

one of founders of Masters 
Lodge, 374 

original stone over grave of. 
94 

partner of Francis Beteilhe, 
37 

partnership with Beteilhe dis- 
solved, 228 

petition to appoint successor 
to Oxnard, 119 


Franklin’s petition, 


INDEX 


Price, Henry, Cont. 
petitioned for lodge at Ports- 
mouth, N. H., 148 
portrait painted, 201 
proposes Charles Pelham in 
First Lodge in Boston, 292 
proposes Jeremy Gridley, 327 
Provincial Grand Master, 
1734-1735, 54 
receives deputation in person, 
76 
removed to Boston, 55 
returns to London, 61 
succeeded by Tomlinson as 
Prov. G. M., 160 
Price, Mary, 96 
Price, Mary (the second) 99, 
100, 102 
Price. Rebecca, 99, 100 
Prichard’s Masonry Dissected, 
ee 
Prince George Lodge, 283 
Pringle, John, 221, 227 
Pringle, Will., 68 
Prioleau, Samuel, 244 
Providence, 197 
Provincial Grand Lodge at Bos- 
ton, 123 
Pue, Jonathan, 278, 285 
Purdie, Capt. Hugh, 370 
Pryce, Charles, 143 
Pyewell, William, 113 


QO. C. A., see Abbreviations, p. 
“el 

Quane, John, 80, 88 

Quatnor Coronati Lodge, 135 

Quebec, Battle of, 305 

Quiches, 24 

Quincy, Edmund, 305, 361, 
367 

Quincy, Rev. Samuel, 370, 371 


405 


Rae, John, see “Ray” 
Ragan’s Orthodoxie Maccon- 
nique, 62 
Rainbow Coffee House Lodge, 
61, 92 
Ramsay, Andrew, see “Ramsey” 
Ramsay, Dr. Archibald, 164 
Ramsay, Chevalier, 221 
Ramsey, Andrew, 349, 351 
Rand, Capt. Robert, 245 
Randall, Lydia, 99 
Records, 30 
earliest book of, in Boston, 
382 
England, 31 
First Lodge in Boston, 32, 41 
Grand Lodge of Massachu- 
setts, 35 
Master’s Lodge, 33 
Portsmouth, 33 
Redman, Thomas, see “Rod- 
man” 
Reed, 331 
“Regular,” 25, 48, 54 
“Regular” lodges, 57, 63 
Reilly, John, 370 
Reller, Abraham, 277 
Renolds, Capt. Thomas, see 
“Reynolds” 
Revere, Paul, 304 
Revis, John, 280 
“Revival of 1717,” 26 
Reynold, Lawrence, 66, 68 
Reynolds, Capt. Thomas, 163 
Rhode Island, 44, 45, 59, 101, 
197, 281, 381 
date of constitution of lodge 
in, 117 
Lodge at Newport, 364 
Rhodes, Samuel, 262, 263 
Richards, 344 
Richardson, Mr., 97 


406 


Richmond, Duke of, 136 

Rickman, John, 242 

Riggs, Capt. Richard, 185, 204 

Right, John, see “Wright” 

Rind, Thomas, 274 

Robertson, Patrick, 154, 161, 
163, 166 

Robinson, John, 113 

Robinson, Septimus, 114 

Rockwell, W. S., 62 

Rodman, Thomas, 64 

Rodriquez, F. de P., v 

Rolfe, Josiah, 123 

Rollins, Joseph, viii 

Rome, 206 

anti-masonic measures in, 221] 

Rook, George, 78, 88, 331 

Rooke, George, see “Rook” 

Rose, Rev., 240 

Rose Tavern Lodge, 71 

Ross, Alexander, 363 

Ross, Samuel, 261 

Ross, Hon. William, 43, 350 

Routh, Christopher, 108 

Row, John, see “Rowe” 

Rowe, John, 75, 82, 118, 241, 
308, 322, 328, 340 

Roy, John, 320, 358 

Royal Exchange Lodge, see 
“First Lodge in Boston” 

Royal Exchange Lodge, at Nor- 
folk, 109 

Royal Exchange Tavern, 178, 
223, 364, 368 

Ruggles, George, 259 

Rush, Jonathan, 313 

Russell, Chambers, 338 


Sachse, Julius F., 31, 64, 79, 
127s 1615 356 

Sachse’s Benjamin Franklin as 
a Freemason, 379 


FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Sacred Mysteries Among the 
Mayas and the Quiches, 
etc., 24 

Sadler, Henry, 79 

Saint Andrew’s Lodge, 110, 249 

St. Clair, 227 

St. Christopher, 221, 381 

Basseterre (Bassatee) Lodge, 
232 

St. Christopher Lodge, 265 

St. Eustatius Lodge, 318 

St. Jago de la Vega, 309 

St. John, Antiqua, 170, 209, 
226, 229 

Saint John’s Lodge of Boston 

see also “First Lodge in Bos- 
ton” 

St. John’s Lodge of Portsmouth 

see “First Lodge of Ports- 
mouth” 

St. John’s Lodge, Norfolk, Va., 
249 

St. Mary’s Bay, Digby County, 
199 

St. Michael’s Lodge, 66, 234. 
238, 240 

St. Paul, Peter Phillip Chas., 
299 

Saint John, 185 

Salmon, John, 320, 321, 322 

Salzburger Colony, 144 

San Domingo, 381 

Lodge at Cap, 352 

Savage, Capt. Richard, 360 

Savannah, 29, 49, 62, 83, 13%, 
204, 214, 222 

early meetings of Solormon. 
Lodge, 144 
Solomon’s Lodge, 141 

“Savannah in ye Province o% 
Georgia,” 139 

Savannah River, 141 


INDEX 


Schleydhorn, see “Slydorn” 

Scott, Andrew, 113 

Scott, Hugh, 114, 158 

Scott, J., 28 

Scotland, 35, 110, 374 

Grand Lodge of, 249 

Scotch Arms Lodge, 221 

“Scottish Rite,” 22 

Seaman, George, 212, 244, 261 

Seargeant, 344 

Second Lodge in Boston, 116, 
368 

Senior Freemason of America, 
49 

Sewall, Jonathan, 340, 346 

Sexton, Morgan, 120 

Shannon, Capt. John, 274 

Sharon, 305 

Sheftall, Benjamin, 142 

Sheftall, Mordecai, 142 

Sheftall, Sheftall, 142 

Shepheard, Charles, 162, 174, 
187, 212, 261, 269 

Sherburn, Henry, 233 

Sherburne, Joseph, 101, 312 

Sheriff, J., 185, 199 

Shippen, Joseph, 32, 80, 112, 
177, 181, 204-205 

portrait of, 206 

Shirley, William, 257, 304 

Shirley, Governor, 304 

Shrewsbury, 100 

Shute, Wm., 363, 367, 368 

Simes, John, 360 

Singleton, Mary, 290 

Skene, W., 197 

Skinner, George, 70 

Slaittewey, Moses, 157 

Slaughter, Moses, 91 

Slydorn, John, 357, 360, 367 

Smith, Benjamin, 233, 243, 244, 
261, 269, 348 


407 


Smith, Benjamin, Cont. 
brief outline of life of, 270 
portrait of, 270 
Smith, Horace W., 50 
Smith, James Moor, 88 
Smith, John, 82, 90, 158 
Smith, Joseph, 185 
Smith, Richard, 298 
Smith, Capt. Robert, 148, 157 
Smith, Thomas, 230, 269 
Smithers, Benjamin, 324 
Smithson, Henry, 263 
Smithhurst, Joseph, see “Smyt- 
hurst” 
Smyrna, 206 
Smythe, J., 78 
Smythurst, Joseph, 268 
Solly, Samuel, 320 
Solomon’s Lodge, Charleston, 
Sa C0135, 46291839,4487, 
212, 233, 260, 269 
facsimile of page of record 
of, 142 
Songhurst, W. J., 135 
South America, 25, 133, 381 
South Carolina, 49, 146, 213, 
376, 381 
date of constitution of Lodge 
in, 117 
deputation issued for Grand 
Master for, 152 
lapse of account of meetings 
from 1742 to 1751, 270 
lodge in, 134 
Solomon’s Lodge, 233 
South Wales, 78 
Southwell, Lord, 109 
Spanish Town, 309 
Spencer, Archibald, 272 
Sprowel, James, 268 
Stansbury, Benjamin, 314 
Starkey, William, 265, 285 


408 


Stephens, William, 222 
Stevens, William, 141 
Stevenson, James, 161 
Steward, James, 367 
Stewart, James, see “Steward” 
Stoddard, Capt. Benjamin, 352, 
367 
Stome, Samuel (“Master of the 
House’’), 168, 323 
Stoughton, Chief Justice, 343 
Stowe, William, 119 
Strahan, Arthur, 212 
Strathmore, Earl of, 70 
Suffolk, 169 
Sun Tavern Lodge, 34, 68 
Surrey, Hugh, 231, 236 
Swan, Ebenezer, 211 
Sweeney, Roscow, 364 
Synge, Philip se2122, 1233181 
brief outline of life of, 252- 
254 
silhouette of, 253 
Svere, Bar’w (Bartho.), 350 


Tabbs, Carrel, 188 

Tailfer, Dr., 222 

Tanner, John, 208 

“Taylor, the celebrated Mr.,” 
90 

Tege, Capt., 364, 366 

Thatcher, Oxenbridge, 345 

The Free Mason’s Pocket Com- 
panion, 28, 42 

“The Great Lodge,” St. Johns, 
Antiqua, 209 

“The Massachusetts 
Lodge,” 35 

Third Lodge in Boston, 369 

Thomas, Isaiah, Hustory of 
Printing, 326 

Thomlinson, see “Tomlinson” 


Thompson, Xtopher, 68 


Grand 


FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Thompson, James, 362 
Thynne, Thomas, see “Wey: 
mouth, Lord” 
Tilden, Mary, 98 
Tombes, Capt. Andrew, 257, 
374 
Tomochichi, Chief, 62 
Timothee, Louis, 121 
Tomkins, Capt. Peter, 163 
Tomlinson, 33, 37, 38, 116, 147, 
157, 161, 164, 165, 186, 
208,\)211, 9219, 22524 
234, 236, 241, 245, 279 
attends meeting of Grand 
Lodge of England, 215 
brief account of the life of, 
of, 168-173 
commission of, 
Boston, 168 
makes some Masons in Anti-< 
gua, 201 
succeeded as Grand Mas: 
ter by Thomas Oxnard, 
280 
succeeds Price as Prov. G. 
M., 160 
Tonkin, Capt. Peter, see “Tom- 
kins” 
Took, Randolph, 133 
Tothill, Edward, 245 
Townsend, 92, 97, 101 
Townsend, Barnard, 302 
Townsend, James, 96 
Townsend, Mary, 96 
Townsend, Samuel, 96 
Tracy, Patrick, 242 
Tran, Alexander, 147, 157 
Trann, Alexander, see “Tran” 
Trinity Church, 335 
Trowbridge, Edmund, 340 
Tucker, John, 185 
Tufton, John, 246 


arrived in 


INDEX 


Tun Tavern Lodge, 34, 80, 
374, 382 
desires a deputation from 
Franklin, 359 
fining of members of, for 
swearing and impertinence, 
362 
member excluded, 371 
pages of record book of, 355 
records of this Lodge begin 
June 28, 1749, 354 
three members discharged, 
358 
Turks, as Masons, 206, 208 
Turner, Lewis, 272 
Tuthill, Edward, see “Tothill” 
Tuthill, Jacob, 364 
Tylar, Stevenson, 236 
Tyler, Andrew, 291 
Tyle1, Mary, 291 
Tyler, Miriam, 291 
Tyler, Noe, 114 
Tyler, William, 117, 367 


Underdown, Capt. James, 230 


Vandelure, Capt. Giles, 154, 
158 

Vanhartburger, John, 274 

Vardy, Luke, 136, 148, 158, 
a2). 225, 256 

Vassal, Lewis, 266 

Vavasour, Thomas, 347 

Vaughn, Capt. Narias, 230 

Vibert, Lionel, 29 

Vidal, Stephen, 357 

Vienna, account of a disturb- 
ance in, because of classes 
and faiths in freemasonry, 
273 

Villiers, Coulon de, 198 

Vincent, Clement, 220 


409 


Virgin Lodge, 43 
Virginia, 109 
St. John’s Lodge No. 117 
249 


Waghorn, John, 184, 223, 225, 
236 

Wales, Prince of, asked to Ac: 
cept Grand Mastership, 
203 

Walker, Thomas, 188, 210, 236 

Walker, William, 111, 112 

Wallace family, 76 

Wallace, William, see ‘“Wal- 


lis” 

Wallace, William (Wallis), 
grandson of William Wal- 
liste 02 


Wallis family, see “Wallace” 

Wallis, Lincy, 227 

Wallis, William, 100, 348 

Ward, Lord John, 136, 264, 
275, 279, 369 

Warner, Elizabeth, 242 

Warren, General Joseph, 35, 
305, 307 

Wasdale, 360 

Washington and his Masonic 
Compeers, 141 

Washington, George, 307 

Waterhouse, Capt. Samuel, 242, 
314 

Watson, James, 174 

Watts, Hon. Samuel, 281 

Webb, Thomas S., 61 

Webb’s Monitor, 138 

Webster, I., 236 

Webster, John, 235 

Wells, Samuel, 364 

Wentworth, William, 236 

Wesley, John, 144 

Wesson, William, 97, 112, 157 


410 


West, Benjamin, 69 

West India Islands, 186 

West Indies, 202, 218, 239, 387 

Lodge at St. Eustatius, 318 
St. Christopher’s Lodge, 265 

Western hemisphere, earliest 
traces of freemasonry in, 
43 

Wethered, H., 242 

Wethered, Samuel, 156, 158 

Weymouth, Viscount, 134, 136, 
138, 139 

Wheelwright, Nathaniel, 350 

White Horse Tavern, 369 

Whitefield, George, 204 

Whitney, St. Levi, 100 

Whitemarsh, Thomas, 64, 121 

White, Richard, 285 

White, Capt. Thomas, 212 

Williams, Dr. Nathaniel, 326 

Williams, Robert, 119, 309, 
314 

Willington, Capt. Roger, 38, 
156, 157 

Wilmington, N. C., 291 

Wilson, George, 272 


FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA 


Windward Islands, 239 

Winslow, General, 304 

Winslow, Samuel, 285 

Winthrop, Adam, 281, 343 

Winyaw, S. C., 283 

Woburn, 101 

Wolfe, General, 305 

Wolfe, Richard, 173, 183 

Woodrop, Alexander, 208 

Woods, Rev. John, 311 

Wray, Sir Cecil, 136 

Wren, Sir Christopher, 213 

Wren, Matthew, 213 

Wright, Hugh, 357, 358 

Wright, James, 181, 182, 183, 
187, 212, 213-215, 244, 
261, 269 

Wright, John, 242 

Wright, Sir Robert, 213 

Writs of Assistance, celebrated 
case of, 336 

Whyte, Capt. James, 360, 361, 
362 


“York Rite,” 22 
Young, John, 114 





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